The Observer 02-02-2023

Covering Lee County, Alabama

Opelika, Alabama

One of Auburn’s Firsts

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

After growing up during segregation and attending a training school in Auburn, John Lockhart bounded past segregation and racism to become the first Black sergeant, lieutenant and captain in the Auburn Police Division.

Lockhart grew up in Auburn from the age of 10. His parents died when he was young, but a sister lived in the Loveliest Village on The Plains, so Lockhart came to live with her.

While young, Lockhart attended the Lee County Training School, which he said was the only “high school” available to Black students at that

time.

“In 1957, I believe it was, that’s when Drake High School was built,”

he said. “That was the first actual high school (for Black students to attend) because, back

then, most of the schools in Lee County and surrounding counties for Black people were called training schools. It was not high schools.

“So I asked the question — why were they training schools and not high schools? And the answer I got was some people thought that Black people could not be learned, they could be trained. So they called those schools training schools.”

Lockhart said he doesn’t know whether this was truly the thinking of the time or not, just that this was the answer he received.

Following graduation from Drake High School, Lockhart played football at Tuskegee Institute on a partial scholarship. How-

Opelika Planning Commission Elects New Officers

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA —

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Opelika Planning Commission held officer elections.

Lucinda Cannon was elected chair, and John Sweatman was elected vice chair. Following the election, Cannon and Mayor Gary Fuller presented outgoing Chairman Lewis Cherry with a plaque expressing appreciation for his 18 years of service on the commission. He served as chairman for the past six years.

“Lewis, a longtime friend, was my first appointment to the Planning Commission in February 2005,

after I became mayor in October 2004,” Fuller said. “Opelika has experienced

unprecedented growth during Lewis’ time on the commission, especially the past six

Lee County Listener Keeps You in the Loop

years while he served as chair.

See CANNON, page A3

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY —

Are you looking for an efficient way to keep up with all the latest happenings in Lee County? How about a way to learn about the people and businesses who call Lee County home? Look no further than the Lee County Listener.

The Lee County Listener is a podcast hosted by Sam DiChiara and Garrett Martinez, two local residents who both have a deep connection to the area.

“Garrett and I host, write and promote the Lee County Listener, which is sponsored by Key Media and The Observer,” DiChiara said. “We are a local news and community podcast that has a different community business on every week.”

“The Lee County Listener is a project devoted to telling the story of

Lee County,” Martinez added. “It does amaze me, constantly, the diversity of people and their interests and skill sets that end up here. We think this is worth documenting, so the podcast does that.”

From Auburn University to some of Alabama’s most unique businesses, Lee County is home to a wide variety of interesting things that are near to the hearts of those who call this area home.

“I love that the podcast gives me an easy excuse to talk with people whom I already find interest in speaking with,” Martinez said. “For this reason or that, it seems odd to go up to say, a local business owner or community leader, and ask for an hour of their time just to pick their brain. With the podcast, we get to do that every week.”

“I really love getting to know some very interesting people in Lee County

SAM DICHIARA AND GARRETT MARTINEZ

Pictured left to right are Mayor Gary Fuller, outgoing Chairman Lewis Cherry and new Chair Lucinda Cannon.

John Lockhart, right, accepts a Lamplighter Award from Auburn Mayor Ron Anders at the mayor's 2022 State of the City Address.

An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'

A New Way to Play Coming to Auburn-Opelika

Tigertown Sports offers unmatched family fun and sports entertainment

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN HOSPITALITY

OPELIKA — Construction is underway at 615 Parker Way in Opelika, behind Lowes.

The site marks the future home of Tigertown Sports, an indoor and outdoor sports entertainment venue for families and individuals of all ages. Owned and operated by Auburn Hospitality, Tigertown Sports adds several new and exciting ways to play in the Auburn-Opelika area.

“We’ve put our own twist on classic miniature golf, and I’m excited to see families enjoying all the games and fun that Tigertown Sports will offer,” said Vic Patel, president of Auburn Hospitality.

Features of the venue include:

• 18-hole classic miniature golf course,

• three sand beach volleyball courts,

• virtual golf simulator,

• yard games,

• full-service bar and

• walkout patio.

Tigertown Sports is

expected to open in March. For more information, visit www.tigertownsports.com.

ABOUT AUBURN HOSPITALITY

Auburn Hospitality, based in Auburn, Alabama, is a full-service management company specializing in operations, management and development, in the hospitality sector with a commitment to community and economic development.

Local Foundation Visits King Center in Atlanta

CONTRIBUTED BY THE DREAM

DAY FOUNDATION

OPELIKA —

The Dream Day Foundation’s 24th Annual Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Celebration culminated with a trip to the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, this past Saturday.

Approximately 30 participants from this year’s celebration, along with 10 adult chaperones, made the visit to experience King's life and legacy.This is the first time in the 24 years of the Annual MLK

Jr. Celebration’s existence that this trip was added as a part of the celebration.

Students in fourth grade up through the college level were able to do the self-guided tour, which included touring exhibits in the Visitors Center, watching a video titled “Children of Courage,” getting a history lesson from the attendee inside the fire station that King visited regularly, seeing the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, along with the newly built one, a visit to Freedom Hall and

the crypts of Dr. and Mrs. King and more.

The tour ended by visiting King's actual birth home in which students were allowed on the porch due to the limited number of tours that day and the smaller size of group.

“It was absolutely amazing to learn about the courage and determination of the Civil Rights Activists that fought for our rights today,” said participant AJ Harvest.

Harvest’s sister Genesis said she enjoyed it with her friends and cited being

able to walk in the steps of King in visiting his home as her favorite part.

Jordan Sankey said her favorite part was “learning about the parts of King’s life that are not taught in the schools and actually seeing the artifacts that were displayed.”

Twins Karson and Kole Carswell stated, “We loved the original things and not replicas. We got to see pictures of the Lorraine Motel, and we learned Black people were not treated fairly.”

"The trip to the King

Center was an amazing experience for me," said Chloe Floyd. "I loved that the TV monitors explained each exhibit, which were interesting and engaging with firsthand accounts.”

Braedyn Williams, who portrayed King in this year’s celebration, stated, “the trip to The King Center was phenomenal, and I really learned a lot and learned things I didn’t know about King and The Civil Rights Movement.” He went on to say it was really inspirational

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and has motivated him to work harder towards achieving equal rights.

The event was made possible due to partnerships with Kroger Inc.; McDonald's of Auburn; Opelika; Shorter and Tuskegee; Opelika City Council and a grant from the Lee County Commission. The hope is to make this trip on a regular basis, if not annually.

For more information on the nonprofit the Dream Day Foundation, visit: www.thedreamdayfoundation.org/.

EDITOR: Hannah Lester

MARKETING: Woody Ross

PHOTOJOURNALIST: Robert Noles

SPORTS EDITOR: Wil Crews

SPORTS WRITER: D. Mark Mitchell

STAFF REPORTER: Kendyl Hollingsworth

A miniature golf course is one feature of Tigertown Sports, expected to open in March.

A group with the local nonprofit Dream Day Foundation visited the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, to learn about the life of Dr. Martin King Luther Jr.

CONTRIBUTED BY RPM LIVING

AUBURN — RPM Living, the nation’s seventh-largest apartment manager, has entered the Auburn market after being awarded management of Samford Square, a 756-bed community serving Auburn University. Auburn marks the third new market RPM Student has entered in the past

RPM Living Enters Auburn Market

few months.

Located on Auburn’s fastest Tiger Transit route, Samford Square offers premium convenience for residents, plus an array of amenities to complement the student lifestyle. The gated community features 246 two-, three- and four-bedroom furnished units with bed-tobath parity, hardwood-style flooring, private balconies

with added storage and inunit washer-dryer combos. Shared amenities at Samford Square include a resort-style pool, upgraded clubhouse, 24-hour fitness studio, theater lounge, sand volleyball court, hammock garden, cybercafé, tanning booth and resident activity room.

“We’re thrilled to expand our student presence into Alabama in such a strong

market like Auburn with our new client,” said Heather Sizemore, senior vice president of operations at RPM Living. “Samford Square is an exciting first property for us in the area, and we’re looking forward to furthering our presence in the region and continue building on our strong partnerships.”

ABOUT RPM LIVING

RPM Living is a full-ser-

vice multifamily management company offering an innovative and personalized approach to real estate services, including management, investment and development. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, RPM is ranked No. 7 on the NMHC Top 50 Largest Apartment Manager list, managing more than 100 clients, nine regional offices and 112,000 units, with an

owned portfolio of $3 billion. Founded by Jason Berkowitz in 2002, the firm has grown to over 2,500 associates nationwide spread across more than 35 markets, all of whom share the collective vision to enhance clients' investments through customized solutions and exceptional resident-centric service. To learn more about RPM, visit RPMLiving. com.

Walk-On’s Celebrates Grand Opening in Opelika Award-winning restaurant to host ribbon-cutting, give away free Walk-On’s for one year on Feb. 6

CONTRIBUTED BY

OPELIKA — Tiger Town will soon be hosting game days with a taste of Louisiana when Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux makes its debut on Monday, Feb. 6. Located at 3041 Capps Way, just a few minutes from the Auburn University campus, Walk-On’s will kick off its grand opening celebration and festivities at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting hosted by its executive team and the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. To add to the excitement, the first 100 guests in line will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win free Walk-On’s for a year. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on opening day.

LOCKHART >>

FROM A1

ever, Lockhart only stayed a year due to financial strain.

Before his long career in police work, Lockhart worked for Auburn University in the War Eagle Cafeteria and for the city of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department.

During this time, activities between white and Black people were still separated, Lockhart said. So when he was promoted to supervisor with the Parks and Recreation Department, he was over the Drake Recreation Center — for Black residents.

A friend of Lockhart’s, John Dunn, was the first Black police officer at the Auburn Police Division.

Dunn worked hard to convince Lockhart to join the force.

“I told him, ‘Woah man,

“It’s an incredible time and area to deliver memorable game day experiences with unique food, service and atmosphere,” said DBMC Restaurants President and Walk-On’s Franchisee Jason Gisclair.

“We can’t wait to give everyone a Louisiana-style welcome on Monday and celebrate with them at their new go-to destination for watching Auburn sports moving forward.”

Walk-On’s first Opelika restaurant marks the brand’s sixth location in Alabama and 75th systemwide. Walk-On’s Opelika will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information about the new restaurant, visit facebook.com/Wal-

no. Nuh-uh,’” Lockhart recalled. “He said, ‘Well, just come up and ride with me one night.’”

But the ride along did nothing to change Lockhart’s position, he said.

Dunn wasn’t the only one trying to convince Lockhart to join the force. Fred Hammond, the chief, even put in his two cents that Lockhart should join.

“One night, I had to call the police because we had a fight among some of the teenagers [at Drake Recreation Center],” Lockhart said. “… [The officers] said, 'You see how things go, you could help prevent that if you were police.’”

Lockhart said they eventually wore him down, and he joined the Auburn Police Division.

“On my first night, I was riding with one of the older lieutenants, a white man,” Lockhart said. “He was one of the best police

kOnsOpelika.

At Walk-On’s, each dish is made from scratch, using fresh ingredients to bring its mouthwatering Americana and Cajun cuisine to life. The

officers I ever met because he took time to talk with you and train you, and he was very patient. He was patient with people, even if he had to arrest someone. He would talk to them first and try to get them to come along peaceful and so forth. And he always was fair, especially with the Black people. I can’t say that for everybody during that particular time.”

By city laws, officers had to have served on the force at least two years before they could be promoted to the next rank. However, in Lockhart’s case, he had only been serving 18 months before he was made the first Black sergeant.

Again, to make lieutenant, officers needed to have served three years on the force, and one of those needed to be as a sergeant. But, Lockhart had only been on the force less than three years when he

diverse menu features unique twists on game day staples and upscale takes on Louisiana mainstays, such as Crawfish Étouffée, Duck & Andouille Gumbo and Doughnut

was made the first Black lieutenant.

Ultimately, Lockhart was promoted as the first Black captain for Auburn, and he spent 17 years in this position.

Lockhart said being a leader was a natural reaction for him.

“It’s a calling,” he said. “I knew one thing about being a leader is that in order to be a leader, you’ve first got to know and you’ve got learn all your people, and you’ve got to know what that means. Being a leader doesn’t mean that you’re just a leader by yourself; the men — you’ve got to instill it in them that you’re the leader.

“But the only thing you’re doing is leading, but to get the job done, everybody’s got to do their job.”

Lockhart said being on the force wasn’t a walk in the park.

“I thought about quitting

Bread Pudding made with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

For a complete menu, locations and more information, visit walk-ons. com. To inquire about franchise opportunities,

several times because of the abuse and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “I had to grow thick skin because the ‘n-word’ was thrown around so much.”

As the years went by, Lockhart said the color of his skin mattered less and he was respected for what he’d done.

Overall, Lockhart worked with six different chiefs during his time with Auburn.

Lockhart was one of six honorees presented an award, called the Lamplighter Award, by Auburn Mayor Ron Anders at the State of the City Address in November.

Lockhart said he had no idea he’d be receiving the award.

“My son — he knew everything,” he said. “… [The city] had gotten with my son Jay, and they had told him everything, and Jay had talked with my

please visit walkonsfranchising.com or contact

CFE Kelly Parker at 225330-4533.

ABOUT WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX

Based in Baton Rouge, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux was founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry, a former walk-on basketball player at LSU. Leaning on the true spirit of a walk-on and building a winning culture, the brand is rapidly expanding across the United States. Its Louisiana-inspired menu features food and drinks made from scratch daily. Walk-On’s All-American Team serves up a game-day experience in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere that ensures every guest is a winner. For more information, visit walk-ons.com.

children — his brothers and sisters.”

And they all surprised him by coming to the program, without his knowledge.

They sat in different spots in the audience, and Lockhart didn’t know until after the program ended.

He saw them in the lobby afterward.

“So, they pulled one on me,” Lockhart said. “It was great, you know, it was really great.”

Lockhart, now 82, retired in 1995.

Lockhart credited Dunn, who died in the ‘90s due to cancer, as a friend and fellow officer paving the way for other Black officers.

“He probably went through more than I did, as far as what was happening, because from ‘67 to ‘70 he was there by himself,” he said. “… I know I had a good career when I retired.”

from every walk of life,” DiChiara said. “I love that Michelle (Key) has been kind enough to grant Garrett and I a lot of creative freedom; that’s what has allowed us to have some really cool series coming up, like our Black history series in February.”

The podcast covers a wide variety of topics, so everyone can find something for them. DiChiara and Martinez said they

pride themselves on their ability to get out into the community and dissect everything that is going on.

“From what makes a great hot dog to how the cities of Auburn and Opelika continue to grow, we try to find whatever makes our guests passionate and focus on that,” Martinez said. “Few things compare to listening to someone share what they are passionate about with full force.”

The podcast has produced some great

memories for both of its hosts.

Martinez said his favorite moment from the podcast was “the first time we took the show on the road.”

“We’ve been blessed with spaces to record, but it felt true to the spirit of the podcast to be able to go out into the community that we speak to and meet people where they are,” he said. “It varied up our schedule, and people are always more comfortable where they are, so it made the interviews a bit more

free-flowing.”

Podcasts are becoming one of the most popular digital media outlets. Many people have an interest in starting a podcast of their very own.

“Plan,” Martinez advised anyone interested in starting a podcast.

“You learn a great deal along the way, of course, so be prepared to have your share of last-minute changes and all, but a decent plan carries you so far. The interviews are fun, the meeting people is fun, the going to events is fun. But the

real work is in guest coordination, design, production, social media management and episode catalogs. A good plan goes a long way in helping you to be able to just enjoy the fun parts.”

The Lee County Listener is available on all the main podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple, Podbean, iHeart and more — even TikTok. Be sure to listen as two locals, DiChiara and Martinez, bring you coverage of everything that is going on in Lee County.

CANNON >>

FROM A1

“Since October 2016, the Planning Commission has approved 4,008 lots for singlefamily homes, 908 townhouses, 980 apartment units and 176 units for assisted/independent living. Lewis and the Planning Commission played a key role in this high level of activity.”

The first 100 guest in line for the grand opening of Walk On's in Opelika on Feb. 6, at 10 a.m., will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win free food for a year.

SEAN DIETRICH

I’m warning you beforehand, what I’m about to say is going to seem utterly ridiculous. Here goes: My mother once told me that I could conquer the world if I ate a decent breakfast. The whole world. All because of breakfast.

See? I tried to warn you. Anyway, to this very day I’m still not sure how this meal can make conquering the world possible, but my mother never lies.

I remember the day she told me, I was having a devastating morning. I was about to take an entrance exam into the sixth grade. And this was a big deal because earlier that year, I’d failed fifth grade — which drained my confidence.

But back to breakfast.

Mama made the greasiest meal: three eggs, cooked in fat from a Maxwell House can, bacon, potatoes, grits and toast hearty enough to sand the hull of a battleship.

I passed my test. I made it to the next grade. And eventually, my confidence began to improve. Thusly — and I’ve always wanted to use that word — I can only assume that breakfast played an important role.

Since then, I’ve always believed in the first daily meal. I ate a good breakfast the day I got married. A big one. That day, the waitress kept bringing me plates of pancakes.

“You must be starving, honey,” she said.

I smiled.

“Thusly,” said I.

But I was only nervous-eating. Truth told, they weren’t even good pancakes — the blueberries tasted like freeze-dried goat pellets.

I also ate a big breakfast the day I got fired. My boss called me into his office and chewed me a new

nose-hole. He said things so hateful I can still remember them. I quietly walked out of his office before he finished speaking.

I went to eat breakfast. I read the paper, I watched the sunrise. I had one of the best mornings I’ve had in years.

So I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I suppose it’s because I come from country people, and these people are full of ideas. Our ancestors believed in smearing thick butter on toast, and in farm eggs. And they believed in the sacredness of early hours.

To them, it was the moment before the day had been written. And nobody knows what kind of day it will be.

Today could be boring. Or, it could be the sort that lives in your memory forever. It could be the day

on which your whole life hinges. It could fall either way.

You might meet a new friend. A lover. A kid. A feral dog. An angel. See, while I write this, the sun is about to rise, and this seemingly normal morning might actually be a spectacular day in disguise.

And if you ask me, you owe it to yourself to be ready. Because once this best-day-ever happens to you, you’re going to look backward and realize that everything had meaning. Everything.

Your good moments were like swatches of fabric. Your painful moments were little pin pricks from a sewing needle, stitching you together like a quilt. And on your final day, you’ll see this quilt and think to yourself: “My God, wasn’t I beautiful?”

Thusly, you were. Very, very thusly.

Then, it will all come back to you. You’ll remember that blind kid in the Piggly Wiggly you held the door open for. The college student you hugged — you had no idea he was suicidal.

The man at the stoplight, holding a cardboard sign. The little girl at church you gave your outdated cellphone to, who had never owned anything so nice in her life.

The redheaded kid who failed fifth grade, but was fortunate enough to have a mother who said he could conquer the world if he wanted. All he had to do was eat his eggs and toast.

Anyway, I forgot what I was talking about.

Oh yeah. Don’t skip breakfast today.

Lessons Worth Learning

in the middle of his toothy smile. He beamed at the camera with one blue eye and one brown.

Billy and Ray tussled over who would get to chew on the stick they found.

Tilly and Tansy curled up together as the late afternoon sun shot amber rays through the glass front door of the Humane Society.

When I was a student at Auburn, sometimes after class, I’d drive to the Lee County Humane Society and take photos of the pets there.

I was an avid nature and animal photographer, and it felt good to take pictures that the Humane Society would use to advertise how distinct each dog’s and cat’s personality

was, and entice people to adopt. I walked each dog to the play area out front and played fetch until they strutted back and forth across the grass runway long enough for me to snag a good portrait. Each dog presented him or herself to the camera uniquely:

Stentorian lay with his legs tucked to his side and a dirty tennis ball caught

Mabel, older and more august than all the other dogs, sunbathed in the grass and grinned with her tongue hanging out.

Of course, that was nothing compared to Elrond — who nearly tripped on his tongue.

As I took these photos and got to know the pets at the Humane Society, I kept wondering: Why do we love dogs and cats? Why do we feel the desire to adopt pets, live with them, play with them, feed them, walk them, buy

them toys, take them to the vet and treat them like members of our families? My theory is that we love them because they remind us how to be mammals. We humans walk around in primate bodies but think with brains capable of multivariable calculus, philosophical treatises, ideological debate and enough mechanical know-how to put people on the moon and engineer nuclear weapons powerful enough to threaten extinction and global annihilation.

We are animals who have a habit of thinking until we forget we are animals. But, just like Tilly and Tansy, we crave warmth and intimacy. Like Billy and Ray, we want to play together and share in the sunshine. Yet every day we forego these simple pleasures that make life worth living so as to instead spend our

time buying junk, waging war and watching people on screen who will never look back and see us. Our brains have tricked us into depriving our own bodies and spirits of what we need so as to pursue what we think we want.

For 178 million years, when one mammal looked at another, the other could look back. They could touch, feel each other’s skin and share a common experience. Today, the average American spends just over seven hours per day staring at a screen. A recent survey estimated that this adds up to a total of 44 years spent looking at screens. We give most of our waking lives to our favorite media personalities, movie stars and pro athletes — none of whom will ever know we exist or love us back. This is an evolutionary catastrophe. We’ve developed technologies that make our lives

longer and better in every imaginable way — but we’ve also created other gadgets that distract us, isolate us and pervert our understanding of what’s important.

When I got home from those trips to the Humane Society, I’d often sit down with my laptop and spend hours editing photos, watching YouTube videos and exchanging emails. I had a 17-pound black cat named Buddha who would get fed up with all this nonsense, walk back and forth across the keyboard and even headbutt me until I gave up, put the laptop down and petted him. His brain was just small enough to teach me something. We love our pets because they still possess the wisdom we’ve thought our way into forgetting, and because they love us enough to guide us back toward the grass and the sunlight.

SAM DICHIARA

Pictured top left, Stentorian lay with his legs tucked to his side and a dirty tennis ball caught in the middle of his toothy smile; middle, Billy and Ray tussled over who would get to chew on the stick and right, Tilly and Tansy curled up together in the sun.

Pictured bottom left, Mabel, and Elrond (right).

Local Cervical Cancer Survivor Seeks to Raise Awareness

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

She hasn’t yet reached her 30th birthday, but Opelika resident Julianna Colley has already survived cervical cancer — twice. And now she’s on a mission to raise awareness so other women do not have to endure what she did.

“Prior to getting my diagnosis, I had a lot of issues,” Colley recalled. “I didn’t feel well, I had a lot of the bloating going on, back pain, abnormal bleeding, pain — lots of pain — after intercourse. Basically, all of the warning signs of cervical cancer — I was experiencing those.”

THE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

Colley said her symptoms began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which

posed a few challenges.

“I had a lot of trouble trying to find a doctor in this area — one, that was accepting patients; two, that could see me; or three, somebody that was actually taking me serious in the area,” she said. “I had gone to several doctors and told them about my symptoms, and the only answers I was getting around here was, ‘Well, you just need to take birth control’ or ‘Maybe it’s your thyroid.’

“I was basically being written off — or that’s how I felt, being a young, married woman in a college town.”

Since her mother had battled cervical cancer 15 years prior, Colley said she was aware of the warning signs and persisted in her quest for answers, determined not to take “no” for an answer.

“If you don’t feel like you’re being listened to or understood or heard, keep

going,” she said. “Keep looking for somebody else. You just can’t take ‘no’ for an answer when it comes to your health.”

By the end of the year, Colley said she found a doctor in Atlanta who agreed to see her. At that point, it had been about three years since her last pap smear, despite her requests to undergo the procedure annually.

“Even though I had asked for a pap every year, the doctors around here kept telling me that wasn’t necessary; three years was the guideline,” Colley recalled. “OK. So my doctor in Atlanta — we did the pap smear, and that came back abnormal, and that’s what started this whole journey.”

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

In January 2021, which also happened to be Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Colley was diagnosed with

Stage IIIC1 cervical cancer. Women are most often diagnosed with cervical cancer between the ages of 35 and 44, according to the American Cancer Society, but diagnoses can still occur outside that age range. Colley was 27.

“In the meantime of getting that cancer diagnosis, I oddly felt a sense of relief because I finally had answers,” she said. “I finally had answers and justification of what I was going through. Definitely not the answer I wanted to hear, but at least I knew what was going on, and I could begin to treat it and fight it.”

Following the diagnosis, Colley said she had a couple of surgeries, ultimately having to undergo a radical hysterectomy with no fertility-saving options because

See AWARENESS, page A6

JULIANNA COLLEY

the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and was taking over an artery.

“I didn’t really have a choice,” she said. Next came four rounds of chemotherapy and 29 radiation treatments. Then, some good news: Colley was declared in remission.

But, 364 days after her last treatment, Colley found out the cancer had returned.

ROUND TWO

“The oncology team locally were doing three-months and six-months scans, but I woke up one day in April 2022, and my leg was killing me,” Colley said. “I could hardly move it, I couldn’t walk up the stairs, it was extremely swollen; something was wrong — again.”

A string of tests at the emergency room revealed

that the cancer had metastasized: 13 new tumors had popped up in her torso.

“That was incredibly scary,” she said. “That was a gut punch because in my mind, you know, I was done. I was done with this. I wasn’t going to do this again. I did it, I fought my fight … I thought I was good. But that was not the case.”

With her cervical cancer back, Colley said she wanted to make sure she received the best care possible. Further research led her to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Atlanta.

She had to endure a few more rounds of chemotherapy, but Colley said she felt that her CTCA team listened to her needs — not just physical, but also “mind, body and soul.”

“I think that’s very important because you can’t heal the body if you don’t heal

everything else with it,” she added.

Now, Colley said she is happy to report that she is once again in remission. However, her journey with cancer is far from over.

ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS

“Because I’ve gone through all this, and because I wasn’t listened to in the beginning, my cancer wasn’t found in an early stage,” Colley explained. “I didn’t have the [pap smears] every year; I didn’t get the HPV vaccine, and I had to go through all of this. Cancer is not over for me. It’s never going to be over for me. I’ll be on maintenance chemos for the next two years, every 21 days getting chemotherapy.”

Colley stressed that early diagnosis and treatment is key to an easier road to recovery — or prevention

altogether — and that starts with being an advocate for your own health.

“It was extremely frustrating,” she said of her struggle to get answers. “I felt like I was screaming into the void. I didn’t feel like anybody was listening to me, and I was just being overlooked when I knew something was wrong.

“… I guess because of my age, it really weighs on me as well because I feel like cervical cancer is just killing young women, and it’s totally unnecessary. If we just familiarize ourselves with these symptoms, do our yearly pap smears and get the vaccine, this could be eradicated within a couple of generations.”

Today, Colley said she spends much of her time trying to raise awareness and get others involved in the cause. After realizing the

community didn’t have any organized efforts, she contacted the city and worked with Mayor Gary Fuller’s office to draft a formal proclamation recognizing January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Fuller issued the proclamation at the Jan. 17 Opelika City Council meeting.

“I know a lot of women, or a lot of people in general — especially in the

South — they don’t like to talk about chronological cancers,” Colley said. “But you can’t ignore it. It’s got to be talked about, otherwise … young women are just going to keep dying. We’ve got to talk about it and bring awareness so that we can stop this.”

For more information about cervical cancer, visit www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/about.html/.

cutline

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEB. 3: FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS

FEB. 4: SOUND WALL PRESENTS HIROYA TSUKAMOTO

FEB. 4: 1ST ALL INCLUSIVE I AM UNIQUE VALENTINE'S BALL

Plan Ahead For Dinner on Valentine’s Day

Ann Cipperly

S Food ociety & News SHouthernospitality

On Valentine’s Day, express love with a nourishing homecooked meal. Plan on preparing the meal a day or two ahead in order to have a relaxing evening. Set the table the night before with your best dishes.

Whether you are making a romantic dinner for two or a special meal for the entire family, it will be a

wonderful way to say “I love you.”

Historians believe that Valentine’s Day originated in ancient Rome, and the custom of exchanging valentines evolved over centuries from several ancient customs. Valentine’s Day has been linked to St. Valentine, “Valentinus,” an ancient priest who was executed for aiding Christians.

While in prison, he became friends with the jailer’s blind daughter and restored her sight. He wrote a farewell note to her, signing it “from your Valentine.” He was executed Feb. 14, 270 A.D. If you don’t have reservations at your favorite restaurant by now, they are probably already booked for Valentine’s Day. While it is nice to

dine out, in many ways a homemade meal can be appreciated more. Set an attractive table with candlelight and play your favorite music softly in the background. If it is dinner for two and you

A Home Away from Home at The Jailhouse

BY MADELINE ACOSTA FOR THE OBSERVER

OPELIKA —

Downtown Opelika is known for having restaurants full of great food and quality bars for adults to enjoy. While many Opelika residents already have their pick of the best eatery, there is one bar unlike any other.

After walking between the bustling pinball machines and neon LED lights of Rock ‘N Roll Pinball, The Jailhouse stands in all her glory. Brick walls are lined with tie-dyed tapestries and neon posters. An '80s playlist flows through the speakers.

The Jailhouse is the homeplace of the Opelika Auburn Film Arts Collective (OAFAC), an organization run by Jeff Bennet and Bay Kelley. The two “partners in crime” have

created a new space for music and movie lovers to enjoy.

“He’s the movie guy; I’m the art guy,” Kelley said.

One of the main goals Bennet and Kelley have for OAFAC is to

continue in growth by providing more spaces for both Opelika and Auburn residents to enjoy different movies and music. The welcoming

have a fireplace, set a card table in front of a roaring fire and turn the lights down low.

Shrimp-stuffed chicken breasts with shrimp sauce is an elegant dish that has been a family favorite for

many years. While this recipe does take a good amount of time, it can be prepared in stages. Sometimes I just prepare the Shrimp sauce with mush-

See CIPPERLY, page A10

New A.I. Promotes Local Band

CONTRIBUTED BY WEBSTERS WHEEL

OPELIKA —

A new A.I. chatbot known as ChatGPT is making moves in the music industry with its creative writing abilities. Launched in November 2022 by artificial intelligence company OpenAI, the chatbox has written an astonishingly eloquent piece in the style of Mark Twain for Alabama folk duo Webster’s Wheel announcing their Yum

Yum Pie Tour 2023.

Read what ChatGPT Mark Twain says about Webster’s Wheel's Yum Yum Pie Tour 2023:

“Friends, gather 'round and listen close, for I've got a tale to tell you. Webster's Wheel, the duo that'll make you tap your toes, hum along and feel a certain warmth in your heart, is hitting the road for their "Yum Yum Pie" tour.

"Now, you might be

See WEBSTER'S page A9

For Valentine’s Day this year, plan a special dinner for the family or a romantic dinner for two. Most of the recipes can be prepared ahead and reheated for enjoying a relaxing evening at home. Appetizers can be simple, from a wedge of cheese with crackers or a make-ahead bruschetta appetizer with crispy crostini. Pictured are two bruschetta toppings, tomato and lemony hummus.

See JAILHOUSE, page A11

Bay Kelley, left, and Jeff Bennet, right, Run The Opelika Auburn Film Arts Collective.

The Columbus Museum Begins Local Tour with Exhibition Celebrating Textiles

CONTRIBUTED BY COLUMBUS

MUSEUM

COLUMBUS, GA —

The Columbus Museum has begun its tour around the Chattahoochee Valley, bringing exceptional exhibitions and engaging programming to collaborating partner venues in the area during its renovation.

The tour kicked off its first exhibition, “A Ribbon Runs Through It: Textiles from The Columbus Museum,” at the Columbus State University Illges Gallery in the Corn Center for the Visual Arts. The show is

now open and runs until March 4, 2023.

This exhibition features highlights from the museum’s textile collection, as well as material culture and imagery of the region’s textile manufacturing history. The history of the Chattahoochee River Valley is thoroughly intertwined with the history of textiles in the region. The first local textile mill opened in 1833, sparking a wave of production that harnessed the power of the river. After the Civil War, textile manufacturing dominated the region’s

economy, and in many ways its culture, for more than a century. Over time, The Columbus Museum has acquired a variety of textile pieces with high aesthetic value.

Dawn Williams Boyd, Jonathan VanDyke and Paolo Arao are such creatives working at the intersection of fine arts and fabric. The Chattahoochee Valley’s textile history also manifests the engaging work of Columbus-born contemporary artists Anna Betbeze, Martha Clippinger and Coulter Fussell.

“This project has been a great oppor-

tunity to share some of Columbus’ textile manufacturing history, while also showcasing several noteworthy textile pieces from the museum’s collection,” said Museum Curator of History and Exhibitions Manager Rebecca Bush. “Textiles can be made for long-term practical use while still being visually pleasing, and it’s exciting to feature both elements.”

The curators, in collaboration with Columbus State University, have also commissioned artist Sheila Pepe to create a site-specific installation in tandem with

the show, which can be seen in the Schley Gallery. Pepe is an artist and educator living and working in Brooklyn, New York, and is best known for crocheting her large-scale, ephemeral installations and sculpture made from domestic and industrial materials.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by the W.C. Bradley Company. While the museum is on tour, visitors are encouraged to participate in the passport program. Adult and child passports are available and will guide guests to the

many exhibitions and venues throughout the tour. Passport stickers can be acquired by gallery attendants onsite at each venue. At the end of the tour, participants can redeem their completed passports for prizes, a discount in the museum shop and a special sneak peek of the reimagined Columbus Museum. Pick up your passport at the museum — located at 1327 Wynnton Road in Columbus, Georgia, or at tour venues. For more information regarding the exhibi-

From The Live Well Kitchen: Power Mac and Cheese

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES

AUBURN —

Put a spin on the childrens' favorite meal with Live Well Alabama's Power Mac and Cheese. This twist on a classic family favorite will feed the whole family and provide a healthy comfort food when the weather drops.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups uncooked

elbow macaroni

4 tablespoons flour

2 cups milk,

2 cups cheddar

cheese, shredded 2 cups broccoli, cooked and chopped in small pieces, DIRECTIONS Cook macaroni, following instructions on the package.

Drain cooked macaroni and return to pan.

While macaroni is still warm, sprinkle in flour and stir thoroughly.

Over medium heat, slowly stir milk into macaroni.

Add cheese.

Stir over medium

heat until milk and cheese thicken into a creamy sauce, approximately seven to 10 minutes.

Stir in broccoli; heat thoroughly.

PRO TIP

Cut up any leftover broccoli for a grab-andgo snack.

“Cooking at home on a regular basis is a key ingredient to overall health, and it doesn’t have to be difficult or break the bank," said Katie Funderburk, Alabama Extension's SNAP-Ed coordinator.

“Our recipes are inexpensive, easy to prepare and don’t require fancy kitchen equipment.”

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.

Live Well Alabama provides numerous recipes that are simple and budget-friendly. For more information about Live Well Alabama and to find more Live Well Alabama recipes, visit www. LiveWellAlabama.com. Also, check out

more Live Well Alabama tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

LIVE WELL ALABAMA

Live Well Alabama is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. This initiative reaches residents across the state with researchbased education.

ABOUT ALABAMA

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

Alabama Extension is the primary outreach organization for the land grant mission of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. Its educational programs grow from these two land grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Sciencebased educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic wellbeing.

Broccoli pairs with pasta and cheddar cheese for a different take on Mac and Cheese.

See COLUMBUS, page A9

Dear Editor, I am writing to thank Opelika-area residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project

Letter to the Editor: Thank You

Operation Christmas

Child. Across the U.S., the project collected over 9.3 million shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide. Through shoeboxes — packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items —

Opelika-area volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled

shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox, which was packed on a countrywide tour and then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine.

Across Alabama, shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a

deeper level by becoming year-round volunteers. Information about ways area participants can get involved year round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/ occ or by calling 770777-9342.

Although local dropoff locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 13 through 20, 2023, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by

conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at www,samaritanspurse. org/buildonline. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely,

Lizette Miller Samaritan’s Purse Media Relations Manger

Springer Resumes Season with Award-winning Production

CONTRIBUTED BY SPRINGER

OPERA HOUSE

COLUMBUS, GA —

Comedy and chaos take center stage as the Springer Opera House Theater continues its 2022-23 season with “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

The 1920s murder-mystery “playwithin-a-play” has everything an actor never wanted in a performance, including an unconscious leading lady, lethal props and a corpse who won’t stay dead, which makes it a hilarious addition to the Springer’s Main Stage Series.

Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, the play begins with the opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” where things are quickly going from bad to worse to all-out wrong. Although the courageous yet completely inept cast and crew attempt to control the chaos and make it

Play-Within-A-Play Turns Chaos into Comedy

to the final act, hilarity ensues — much to the delight of the audience.

Producing Artistic Director Paul Pierce, who is directing the show, explained why “The Play That Goes Wrong” is the perfect performance for today’s theater audience.

“Laughter is good medicine that we could all use right now and this production provides a hefty dose of comedy,” he said. “We know our audience will truly enjoy the experience. The cast is incredibly talented and has an unbelievable timing and chemistry that’s necessary to carry out so much going so wrong so quickly. As actors, they’re doing everything right so that it appears everything is going wrong. That’s not an easy feat and I’m proud of the hard work they’ve put in.”

“The Play That Goes Wrong” was written in 2012 by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Company in London, where its

very impressive run continues today. In 2017 the production premiered on Broadway, again to glowing reviews and rollicking laughter.

Reviews from theater critics include, “It’s clear from the beginning that wrong will be just right.” (Variety), “The Play That Goes Wrong is just right: A ridiculously entertaining disaster,” (Entertainment

asking yourself, ‘Why should I care about this tour, Twain?’ And I'll tell you why, because this tour, my friends, is the beginning of a world-changing event. It'll provoke all of humanity to have compassion and challenge themselves to become better people.

"You see, these fellas have a way with their music that'll make you feel something you ain't felt in a while. It's like taking a dip in the Mississippi on a hot summer day, it's refreshing and invigorating. And that's exactly what the world needs right now, a good refreshing dip.”

“We were fascinated by how expressively the chatbox described our Yum Yum Pie Tour,” said Webster’s Wheel. “The tour is a celebration of our new album 'Yum Yum Pie,' and its A.I.-generated depiction is very striking.”

LISTEN TO 'YUM YUM PIE

www.websterswheel.com/ music/.

Webster’s Wheel kicked off their Yum Yum Pie Tour at the beginning of January 2023. The tour features Webster's Wheel's mesmer-

izing live performances and includes stops in some of the country's most iconic cities across the Southeast. Go ahead and find the city nearest you, my friends, because it's time to take a dip.

FIND YUM YUM PIE TOUR 2023 DATES www.websterswheel.com/ tour/.

Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

Opelika — Rock ‘N Roll Pinball

Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

Dothan, Alabama — The Thirsty Pig

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

Tallahassee, Florida — Blue Tavern

Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Cartersville, Georgia —

Drowned Valley Brewing

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 Conroe, Texas — The Red Brick Tavern

Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

Dallas, Texas — Opening Bell Coffee

Friday, March 10, 2023

— Nashville, Tennessee —

Brew Works

Sunday, March 12, 2023

— Nashville, Tennessee —

Acme Feed & Seed

Thursday, March 16, 2023 Roanoke, Virginia —

Awful Arthurs

Friday, March 17, 2023

Lexington, North Carolina

— Sophie’s Cork & Ale

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Bowling Green, Virgina —

The Heist

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Richmond, Virginia — Garden Grove Brewing Company

Friday, March 24, 2023

Greenville, North Carolina

— Christy’s Euro Pub

Saturday, March 25, 2023 Elkin, North Carolina

— Angry Troll Brewing

ABOUT WEBSTER’S WHEEL

Webster’s Wheel is a folk/Americana duo with a sound lost in time and found on a journey of finger-style acoustics, interweaving vocal harmonies and emotional landscapes. Based out of east central Alabama, the duo has toured across the South from the far shores of Florida up the mountains of Virginia and across the Texas plains. They have recorded five albums in three years’ time, releasing music in a style that remains true to their sound and captures the unfiltered magic of their live performances. IndiePulse Music says Webster's Wheel are "nothing short of spellbinding from the start."

Weekly) and “… so many jabs to the funny bone, that you’re in for a sufficient number of laughs.” (Broadway World). In addition to the numerous positive reviews, the play has also garnered several awards including Best New Comedy (Olivier Award), Best Scenic Design of a Play (Tony Award) and Best New Play (Broadway World

UK Award).

The Springer’s production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” features returning Springer Theater talents Andy Harvey (Trevor), Aleigha Burt (Sandra/ Florence Colleymoore), Adam Archer (Robert/ Thomas Colleymoore), Topher Payne (Chris/ Inspector Carter), Ari McClean (Annie), Tate LeClair (Jonathan/

Charles Haversham), Jay Glover (Max/Cecil Haversham/Arthur) and Ned Bridges (Dennis/ Perkins).

The production begins with a 7:30 p.m. opening performance on Thursday, Jan. 26, and runs through Feb. 5. Single tickets are on sale now. Visit springeroperahouse.org for tickets and additional details.

CIPPERLY >> FROM A7

rooms and serve it over puff pastry shells, rice or pasta, which still makes a yummy meal.

Shrimp is a good choice for a special occasion. Shrimp and grits are popular and often

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

HONEY BOURBON

STEAK TIPS

Jennifer Collins

1/3 cup honey

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup bourbon

¼ cup soy sauce

¼ cup

Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp. red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 lb. steak (ribeye, sirloin or filet) cut into chunks

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

3 Tbsp. butter, divided

16-oz. pkg. fresh mushrooms cut in quarters

In medium bowl, whisk together honey, brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes and garlic. Pour into large zip top bag; add steak and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Heat vegetable oil and 2 Tbsp. butter in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Add steak to pan; you will probably want to cook it in two batches as to not crowd the pan. Cook meat until seared on all sides. Remove meat from pan. Add remaining butter and cook mushrooms until browned, then serve along with steak tips.

STEAK OR GROUND

BEEF STROGANOFF

1 onion, chopped

8 oz. mushrooms, sliced

2 Tbsp. olive oil

on restaurant menus. It is easy to make at home and serve with smoked gouda or cheddar grits.

To enhance a creamy mac and cheese for something special, add shrimp before baking.

If steak is a favorite, check Jennifers Collins’ recipe for honey bourbon steak tips. For a tasty,

1 lb. good ground beef or top sirloin, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. allpurpose flour

1 ½ cups beef broth

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

½ cup sour cream

Cooked noodles or pasta

Parsley to garnish, optional

In a skillet, sauté onion and mushrooms in olive oil. Add steak strips or ground beef and cook until brown; remove from heat and set aside.

In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour until well blended. Slowly add broth, stirring constantly until thickened. Stir in mustard and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour sauce over ground beef in skillet and stir in to blend. When hot, stir in sour cream. Serve over noodles or pasta and garnish with parsley, if desired.

FRICASSEE OF CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TARRAGON

Lucy Whatley

6 boneless chicken breasts

1 cup flour seasoned with salt and pepper

¼ cup butter, divided

3 Tbsp. minced shallots or onions

½ cup dry white wine

1 ½ tsp. dried or 1Tbsp. fresh

but more budget-friendly, dish — the steak or ground beef stroganoff is quick and easy to prepare. It can be made ahead and reheated or quickly assembled after work.

Chocolate-covered strawberries are always popular for Valentine’s Day, and they are easy

tarragon

¾ cup chicken broth

½ cup heavy cream

Dredge chicken in flour. Save remaining flour. Heat 2 Tbsp. butter in skillet; brown chicken on both sides. Keep warm. Add shallots to pan; sauté briefly and add wine. Cook liquid over high heat until nearly evaporated. Add 3 Tbsp. flour; stir to make thick paste.

Add tarragon and chicken broth; stir until smooth. Place chicken back in pan. Cook 20-25 minutes or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter.

Add remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and cream to skillet. Heat, stirring, and season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over chicken. Garnish and serve.

SHRIMP AND SMOKED GOUDA OR CHEDDAR GRITS

Melissa Sanders

Scott

Grits:

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups stone ground grits

1 cup heavy cream (possibly more)

1 stick butter

1/2 lb. shredded smoked gouda or cheddar

Boil stock, then add grits. Keep stirring and reduce; simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding cream as needed. Add butter and cheese towards end. Very important

to make. You don’t need a pastry bag to decorate the strawberries. Simply melt white or dark chocolate in the microwave. Place the melted chocolate in a plastic bag and cut the end off one corner, then quickly drizzle over chocolate-dipped berries.

On Valentine’s Day,

to stir throughout!

Shrimp:

8 strips bacon, diced

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. minced shallot

3 Tbsp. butter

White wine

1 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp

1 sliced portabella mushroom

1/4 cup diced scallions

2 cup fresh spinach

2 cup heavy cream

While grits are cooking, prepare shrimp. Cool bacon until grease starts releasing, then add garlic and shallots. Cook for a few minutes and add butter and splash of wine. Add shrimp, mushrooms, scallions and spinach. Sauté until spinach has wilted. Add heavy cream and reduce. Add salt and pepper.

Spoon shrimp mixture on grits and serve.

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU WITH CREAMY DIJON SAUCE

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 slices thinly sliced ham or prosciutto

4 slices Swiss cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3-1/2 cup allpurpose flour for coating

2 eggs, beaten

1 ½ cups breadcrumbs or panko crumbs

Creamy Dijon Sauce:

take time to do something extra for those you love. As tantalizing aromas drift throughout the house, it will be a pleasing reminder of the succulent supper being prepared for a blissful evening by the warming fire or in the dining room with glowing candles.

Along with your fam-

1 Tbsp. butter

1 shallots or small onion, finely diced

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pound chicken breasts about ½ inch thick. Place slice of ham and cheese on each breast. Fold chicken around ham and cheese, adding a toothpick to secure.

Season with salt and pepper. Roll chicken in flour, then dip in beaten egg and cover with breadcrumbs. Place in baking pan, Bake for one hour or until thoroughly cooked. Serve chicken rolls sliced with Creamy Dijon Sauce. Make sauce in a saucepan. Melt butter and sauté shallot or onion until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, stirring, until thicken.

SHRIMP STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH SHRIMP SAUCE

One of my children’s favorite dishes. Sometimes I just make the Shrimp Sauce and serve it over puff pastry shells, rice or pasta.

6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

¼ cup flour

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. white or black pepper

3 cups dry bread cubes (white bread without crust)

ily, don’t forget to share your homemade treats with an elderly neighbor, shut-in or someone in a nursing home who would appreciate being remembered. Take your children or grandchildren to deliver a Valentine’s treat to them at an early age the joy of sharing with others.

1 medium onion, minced

1 stalk celery, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 Tbsp. butter

½ lb. raw shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped

Salt, pepper and cayenne pepper

½ cup or more liquid: chicken broth and white wine

Juice of half a lemon

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

Pound chicken breasts flat. Combine flour, salt and pepper; dip chicken in mixture. Season shrimp with salt, pepper and cayenne: set aside.

Sauté onion, celery and garlic in 8 Tbsp. butter until wilted; add shrimp and cook about 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and add bread cubes, liquid and lemon juice – enough for a moist stuffing.

Divide stuffing between chicken breasts. Roll up envelope style. Dip them in 6 Tbsp. melted butter, and place seam side down in a baking dish. Refrigerate for several hours. May be prepared in morning to serve that night or prepare night before for a luncheon. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Do not over bake.

To serve, place on platter and cover with Shrimp Sauce.

Shrimp Sauce:

½ lb. fresh mushrooms

1 to 1 ½ pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined

See CIPPERLY RECIPES, page A11

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

FROM A10

¼ cup minced onion

8 Tbsp. butter

4 Tbsp. flour

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Season shrimp with salt, pepper and cayenne; set aside. Lightly sauté mushrooms and onions in butter; cover and cook for three to four minutes.

Add seasoned shrimp and cook two to three minutes more. Stir in flour and cook a few minutes. Add heavy cream and sour cream and heat slowly, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

CREAMY GRUYERE

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Martha Hicks

For an extra special dish, add one to two pounds medium cooked shrimp with the macaroni.

8 oz. elbow macaroni

4 Tbsp. butter, plus butter to grease

casserole dish

5 Tbsp. sifted flour

1/2 tsp. salt

Pepper to taste, use white if the black flecks bother you

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 cup half and half

1/4 cup white wine

2 cups grated gruyere

cheese

3 cups grated sharp

cheddar cheese, preferably Vermont

cheddar

1 cup grated

Parmesan cheese

1/4 - 1/2 cup lightly

sautéed green onions or

2 to 3 small shallots

1/4 cup panko bread

crumbs, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a deep 13 by 9 inch or slightly larger

JAILHOUSE >>

FROM A7

atmosphere adds to the inclusivity that Bennet and Kelley have worked to accomplish with OAFAC.

“The idea is to kind of create a space, a community space where people are excited about cinema and art,” Bennet said.

Bennet and Kelley have been working with The Jailhouse for about a year and a half, and already the two have achieved more than they expected. Bennet and Kelley said they hope to reach more people and add to the already booming culture in Opelika and Auburn.

“We just continue to sort of generate interest and get everybody working together, and everybody’s interested in sort of coalescing these different communities,” Kelley said. “If we can get everybody working together, then this project is self-sustaining.”

On Wednesday nights, OAFAC holds movie

casserole dish.

Cook elbow macaroni la dente according to directions on box.

To make cream sauce, melt butter, add sifted flour, salt and pepper to make a roux.

Whisk constantly as pouring in milk and half and half. Whisk slowly until sauce begins to gently bubbles around edge and is thickened. Cook about two more minutes, continuing to whisk gently to ensure the flour is fully cooked.

Add cheeses and white wine. Remove from heat. If sauce is too thick, add more half and half.

Fold in cooked macaroni and green onions. Taste to see if more salt is needed.

Put in greased casserole dish and top with panko crumbs, if desired. Bake 2 to -30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes.

BRUSCHETTA APPETIZERS

Prepare the crostini and toppings ahead of time.

If you have a small heart cookie cutter, cut out bread in heart shapes for Valentine’s Day.

Crostini:

1 baguette, sliced Extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Brush both sides of bread with olive oil and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly toasted. Store in air-tight container until ready to serve.

Tomato Topping:

2 pints cherry, grape or artisan tomatoes

screenings at The Jailhouse that range from cult classics to lesser-known films.

“In one way, we’re kind of reliving our young adulthood and bring that to people,” Bennet said.

By giving a space for different subcultures to emerge, Bennet and Kelley have created a new experience for people to discover movies, music and art that is not as wellknown.

Along with the movie screenings, OAFAC also has an event called “Silent Film Mixtape.” This event involves local artists who will choose a silent film, as well as a soundtrack, to be made as the score for the silent film. Once the artists are finished, OAFAC hosts a screening to showcase the artists’ works.

For Valentine’s Day, OAFAC will be hosting a poetry reading for locals to share their favorite love poems or their own written piece. To learn more, visit the OAFAC Facebook page for upcoming events and movie screenings.

2 to 3 cloves

garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

½ tsp. dried basil or 5 fresh basil leaves, sliced, optional Salt and pepper to taste

Quarter or chop tomatoes. Combine all ingredients; toss gently. Store in refrigerator.

Lemony

Hummus:

16 oz. can chick peas. drained and rinsed

1/3 cup olive oil

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. minced garlic

½ tsp. ground cumin, optional ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper, optional

Salt and pepper to taste. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend to a smooth consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Best if made the night before.

GREEN SALAD WITH PEARS, GOAT CHEESE AND CANDIED WALNUTS

Candied

Walnuts:

2 Tbsp. butter

½ cup chopped walnuts

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

Vinaigrette

Dressing:

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 ½ Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 ½ Tbsp. honey

½ to 1 garlic

clove, minced 1/8 tsp. salt and pepper

½ cup olive oil

Salad: Mixed salad greens

1 or 2 pears or apples, sliced 3 to 4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

To make candied walnuts, melt butter in a saucepan and add the walnuts and brown sugar. Sauté until the nuts begin to soften. Remove from the pan to cool.

For dressing, combine vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic, salt and pepper on a small bowl and whisk to blend well. Slowly add olive oil while whisking. Store in refrigerator.

To assemble salad, tear lettuce in bite size pieces and place in large bowl. Add walnuts, sliced pears and cheese; toss. Add desired amount of dressing and toss again or serve on the side.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

Always a hit for Valentine’s Day

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate or white chocolate chips

3 Tbsp. heavy cream

12 long-stemmed strawberries

Extra chocolate for drizzling, optional Place the chocolate and cream together in a bowl over simmering water until just melted.

Stir and remove from the heat. Dip each strawberry in the chocolate and place on waxed or parchment paper to set. To set quicker, place in refrigerator.

To decorate, melt semi-sweet or white chocolate in microwave and place in a plastic bag. Cut the end of one corner and drizzle over dipped strawberries.

CHERRY TOPPED CHEESECAKE

Marian Scharpf

Crust:

¼ cup butter

1¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

¼ finely chopped pecans

½ tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. water

Mix crumbs, pecans and cinnamon. Cut in butter and add water.

Pat into a 10-inch spring form pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Filling:

Two 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract

½ tsp. salt

3 cups sour cream

Beat all together until smooth. Pour over baked crust and bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees. When cool, add topping and chill.

Topping:

1 can cherry pie filling

¼ tsp. almond extract

Combine together.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Serve with noodles or mashed potatoes

3 pounds stew beef

All-purpose flour

Salt

Pepper

Olive oil

4 cloves garlic

3 onions, quartered

1 small can tomato paste

2 cans soup condensed beef broth

2 cups dry red wine

1/4 cup parsley

1 tsp. thyme

3 Tbsp. butter

1 lb. mushrooms, sliced

In a large heavy skillet, cover bottom of pan with oil. Combine flour, salt and pepper. Dredge cubed beef into the flour mixture; brown in the oil. Place browned meat in a deep casserole dish. Pour excess oil from pan; pour in 1/2 cup water and stir until browned particles are loosened; pour over meat.

In the same skillet, add 2 Tbsp. more olive oil, stir in onions and garlic until lightly browned; pour over meat. Stir tomato paste into beef broth, add parsley and thyme; pour over meat. Add wine and stir. Cover casserole and bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 3 hours.

Melt butter in skillet; add mushrooms, cooking until lightly browned. Add to the beef mixture and bake for an hour or until beef is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Can be made a day or two ahead and may be frozen.

RELIGION —

It was always the plan of God for Israel to have a king. Deuteronomy 17:14-20 is one of the passages that tells us this, but there are more. As part of the blessing God speaks to Jacob in Genesis 35, He tells him that “kings will be among your descendants” (v. 11). Then there’s talk of the “scepter” and the “ruler’s staff” (which

How to Be A King

clearly necessitate a king) relative to the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10. A king for Israel was always part of God’s plan. The kingship was tied into Israel’s redemptive purpose as a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). Mankind had forfeited their dominion over creation with the sin of Adam and Eve. The nation of Israel was God’s model for the world of what God ultimately intended to do for all humanity through Christ. The monarchy was part of that intent to restore lost dominion, as well as to prefigure Christ. There were also practical considerations for the monarchy. A king would help centralize and unify the fledgling nation. Think of how we still see in some parts of the world

continued violence among tribal rulers and warlords. This is the picture of Israel that is painted in the book of Judges (see 9, 12 and 20). Their lack of national cohesion also left them vulnerable to oppression from foreigners (6:13, 10:7, 13:1). We’re familiar with the refrain from Judges that “everyone did as they saw fit” (17:6, 21:25), but the context for it is the observation that “In those days Israel had no king.” Indeed, they did not.

All this explains why, by the time we get to Samuel, Israel wants the right thing (a king), for the wrong reason (so they can be independent). God uses their wickedness to nonetheless accomplish His purposes — just as He did with the cross of Christ (Acts 2:23).

It also explains why in Deuteronomy 17, we have clear (if brief) instructions for the king. It was all part of God’s plan for Israel.

In Deuteronomy 17:1420, God gave instruction through Moses on “How to be a King.” The first requirement was that the king was to be someone chosen by God (v. 15). This would reinforce the truth that the king was meant to be a visible presence of the invisible and ultimate King, Yahweh. The king was also to be an Israelite — from among the Jewish people — someone who was one of them and knew their history and identity, and hopefully would be less likely to introduce idolatry.

To that point and more, he was to immerse himself in God’s word.

He was to make a copy of the scroll belonging to the priests (v. 18). That copy was “to be with him” and to be read all the days of his life (v. 19). The purpose of this was that “he may learn to revere the Lord and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees” (v. 20).

That was the king God wanted Israel to have and the King we now have in Jesus (Revelation 1:5, 17:14).

More on kings and kingdoms next week.

Bruce has written an entry-level book on Revelation called “The Thrill of Hope.” It is available through Amazon.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: www.a-taste-ofgrace-with-bruce-green. com.

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church

3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528

Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., Valley 334-710-2117

Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487

Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184

CHURCH DIRECTORY

High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750

Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108

Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608

Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ at Cunningham

2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika

10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika

334-745-5181

Church Of Christ

2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika

334-742-9721

Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054

METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148

Connect Church

2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika

334-707-3949

St. Ellis Full Gospel Church

5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319

PENTECOSTAL Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary

1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn

334-745-6926

PRESBYTERIAN

Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika

334-745-4889

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Opelika Outreach

S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika

334-749-3151

BRUCE GREEN

Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Life is a school in which we learn the rules for living. Successful living is achieved by following the rules. The best rules are the Bible’s Ten Commandments, God’s guidelines that have stood the test of time. Assuming we take seriously God’s commandments, there are other helpful principles for living we may learn through experience.

Perhaps you can identify with some of the valuable lessons for living that I

GERALD SWECKER

Gerald "Gerry" Brown Swecker, age 81, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. A recent resident of Opelika, Alabama, he was born on June 3, 1941, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and spent the majority of his adult years in the Hampton Roads and Williamsburg, Virginia, areas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl H. Swecker and Charlene Swecker.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Patricia "Patsy" Harrell Swecker, sons Collier (Amanda) Swecker of Birmingham, Alabama, and Chris (Leslie) Swecker of Wytheville, Virginia, brother Hu (Vicki) Swecker of Norfolk, Virginia, and grandchildren Julia Swecker of Birmingham, and Shaelynn, Ashlyn, Coren and Destin Swecker of Wytheville, Virginia.

He loved the Lord Jesus and was always willing to talk with anyone and share his faith and the Gospel. He was a teller of silly jokes and spooky stories, loved bike rides, traveling and could fix anything. He spent his career working at Newport News Shipbuilding for over 40 years. A memorial service was held Jan. 28, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Heart for Orphans at www. heartfororphans.com.

JUDIE CAULDER BROWN

Mrs. Judie Ann Caulder Brown, 74, of Auburn, passed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

have learned during my life’s journey, some of which originate in the Ten Commandments.

One, surrender the management of your life to God. Let God rule your life. Love God more than anything. The more you love God, the more you will submit to His authority.

So that “God” is not an invisible, oblong blur, think of Him as a Person. That Person is Jesus, for it was Jesus who put a face on God. Remember: Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus loves you. So love Him supremely. You follow Jesus by loving Him. Your character is shaped by who you love.

Two, open your heart to Jesus. He wants to live in your heart. You are the temple of God. Make it a holy temple because the Bible tells us that is where

Brown was born Dec. 19, 1947, in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, to parents Sammie Caulder and Gladys Amanda Caulder. She graduated from Clarkton High School in 1967 and attended Pembroke State University.

She married the love of her life, Tom Conner Brown Jr., in 1974. They moved to Auburn, where they joined Auburn First Baptist Church. She worked for Auburn Bank and Trust for five years. She was the financial aecretary at Auburn First Baptist Church from 1979 until 1998. She and her husband then owned the 280 Antique Mall. She became the administrative support assistant for Auburn University’s Human Resource Department from 2008 until her retirement in 2018.

Brown was an active member of Auburn First Baptist Church, where she taught children’s Sunday School with her husband and served on many committees. She also served the Opelika Civitan Club of Opelika, including as president of the club.

Brown is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Tom Conner Brown Jr.; her daughters, the Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel (David Moore) and Amanda Brown Oliver; her grandchildren, Mattie Anne Oliver and Russell Conner Oliver; and many nephews, nieces and family members.

A Celebration of Life service for Brown will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m. at Auburn First Baptist Church. The Rev. Tripp Martin will officiate the service. There will be a visitation after the service

Living By the Rules

Jesus wants to dwell. Welcome Him into your heart so He can cleanse, shape, guide and use you. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Serve Him. Joy comes from serving Him.

Three, ask Jesus to help you live your life in chapters. In life you have times of transition, pain, change, victory and defeat. You cannot always choose the circumstances of your life, but you can end one thing and begin something new. When you have a chapter of discouragement, Jesus can help you begin a new chapter of celebration.

Four, thank Jesus daily for transforming you into His likeness. That’s God’s goal for you; it’s called “sanctification.” Continually ask Jesus to convert your unconverted attitudes. For example, you may have a habit of becoming angry about what other people

in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to honor her memory with a donation to the Child Development Center Scholarship Fund at Auburn First Baptist Church (both Amanda and Ginny received the blessings of this daycare many years ago).

VERNON UNGER

Vernon Edwin Unger Jr., 87 of Auburn, passed away Jan. 26, 2023, at Salude Nursing Home in Swanee, Georgia. Dr. Unger was born Dec. 14, 1935, to Vernon Edwin Unger Sr. and Ida Nagles Unger in Maryland. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home with burial following in Town Creek Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Unger served as department head of Industrial and Systems Engineering from 1979 to 1999. He was a professor of Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech from 1968 to 1979, served as president of Saugahatchee Country Club from 2007 to 2008. Ed was an avid ornithologist and bibliophilist.

Unger was preceded in death by his parents, Ida Nagle Unger and Vernon Edwin Unger Sr.; brother-in-law Williams Edward Arant Jr. He is survived by his wife Barbara Ann Unger of Auburn; children: Vernon Edwin Unger III and Kenneth Scott Unger, both of Georgia; sister: Barbara Unger Arant of Maryland; grandchildren: Brian Unger and wife Janelle of Florida, Kate Unger of Florida, Alex Unger and Josh Unger of Georgia;

say and do to you. Ask Jesus to help you overcome that habit. How you react to other people is more important than what they say and do. You cannot control what other people do; you can decide how you will respond to their behavior. You cannot change others; you can let Jesus change you as you walk with him.

Five, allow Jesus to free you from perfectionism. He can help you make progress — not perfection — your goal. Refuse to burden yourself with the demand for perfection. Instead, aim to make a little progress each day and be at peace about your imperfections — and those of others as well.

Six, celebrate “excellent” mistakes. You make mistakes; we all do. But when you make one, inject a little humor into your guilt. Laugh at yourself, and invite others involved to laugh

great-grandchildren: Cayden Unger and Kaylee Unger of Florida. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral is directing.

ROBERT JAKEMAN

Robert Jefferson “Jeff” Jakeman went to be with his Lord on Jan. 24, 2023, at age 74. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and family as he departed this world, succumbing to his brief, yet hard-fought, battle with cancer. He is remembered by his family as a hard-working, kind, loving and loyal man who deeply loved his Lord, family and friends.

Jeff was born on Oct. 22, 1948, to Flora Agnes Bandy and Robert Malcolm Jakeman, in Madison, Tennessee, but spent his childhood and young adulthood in Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1966, which is where he met his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Carol Dressler. After dating for five years, he and Carol married on June 12, 1970.

He was the proud father of his daughters, Katie and Melissa, serving them and their families in countless ways up until his last days. The greatest joys of his life were his five granddaughters and one grandson. He loved them beyond measure — evidenced by his willingness to dress up in princess crowns, accompany their singing and dancing routines, serve them at tea parties, play “alligator” on the playground, learn Tik-Tok dances and build countless craft projects. His youngest two grandchildren remember their

with you. Celebration helps you emerge a victor, not a victim. Jesus loves to help you celebrate his forgiveness and the strength he gives you to avoid repeating your mistakes.

Seven, ask Jesus to help you discard “if only” from your vocabulary. When you indulge in the use of “if only,” you are dodging responsibility for your mistake. Admit your blunder and move on. Jesus forgives you; forgive yourself. Decide to never begin another sentence with “if only.” You can do it — with the help of Jesus.

Eight, enjoy laughter every day. Humor is so important, you must look for it constantly. If you are having a really bad day, think of something funny that will provide a good laugh. If nothing comes to mind, take a look in a mirror. That works for me.

“Ga” taking them to the local airport, getting cake pops at Starbucks and going on walks in search of “treasures.” As his oldest four granddaughters got older, he delighted in talking with them about their lives and studies, taking turns listening to each other’s favorite songs and discussing articles, books and movies together.

With a seemingly insatiable thirst for knowledge, Jeff always sought to engage and expand his mind. He earned his BA with a double major in sociology and social science from the University of South Florida in 1972, his master’s degree in history from Valdosta State College in 1980 and his PhD from Auburn University in 1988. His dissertation about the Tuskegee Airmen was later published in 1992 and titled, "The Divided Skies."

Jeff served 26 years in the Air Force, starting out as an F-4 “Phantom” navigator (with more than 1,500 navigator hours) and ultimately retiring from service as full colonel in 1997. He was always proud that his tactical fighter squadron provided dusk patrol over communist China at the end of the Vietnam War. Throughout his military career, he and Carol were stationed in Texas, California, Florida, the Philippines, Georgia, Korea and Alabama. Perhaps their Air Force travels are what fostered their love of travel, which they were finally able to pursue in their retirement years. Among their many trips, their favorites were cruising the Danube River and visiting Italy and Greece.

In addition to his military career, Jeff also had an accomplished career in academe. While pursuing his

Jesus had a sense of humor. Cultivate your own.

Nine, ask Jesus every morning to help you put on a happy face. If you are prone to be grumpy, stop living like that. It is a choice you can make. Nobody ever wakes up and says, “Today I hope I run into somebody who is complaining.” No one wants to be around you if you are constantly grouchy. Grumble less; smile more.

Ten, when the bottom falls out of your life, remember that winter doesn’t last forever. Turn to Jesus. Trust him. Ask him to give you the courage to face your hardships bravely. Jesus will let you know you are not alone. Give him your hand; ask him to hold it and walk with you. He will, and he’ll give you the strength to persevere — and the confidence that spring is on the way!

PhD, he served as the assistant director of administration at the Alabama Department of Archives and History. After receiving his PhD, he was an assistant professor of history and archival studies at Auburn University and then editor of The Alabama Review. Perhaps his proudest accomplishment was serving as managing editor of the Encyclopedia of Alabama. Jeff was active in several historical organizations before retiring from Auburn University in 2012.

When it came to hobbies, Jeff certainly wasn’t lacking. From an early age, he loved music. He sang in the church choir, played many instruments (piano, French horn, guitar and mandolin) and had fond memories of his folk group, “The Strung Quartet.” He rode dirt bikes in Korea in his 20s. He ran the Huntsville marathon in his 30s. In his 60s, he learned Italian and became an avid cyclist — and was quite focused on meeting his goal of cycling 1,000 miles each year. His retirement years also afforded him the time to finally pursue his love of vintage cars, spending countless hours working with friends to restore his 1965 MGB. He also enjoyed reading, traveling, photography, astronomy, learning new words, hiking and so much more.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Flora Agnes Bandy Jakeman and Robert Malcolm Jakeman. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol Dressler Jakeman; his daughters, Kathryn “Katie” Jakeman McMullen (Mike) and Melissa Jakeman Mitchell (Ted); his brother,

CONTRIBUTED BY JEWISH LIFE TELEVISION

LEE COUNTY —

Jewish Life Television (JLTV), the nation’s largest and most robust 24-7 English language, Jewishthemed television network, recently announced that Spectrum has made JLTV more widely available to its Columbus, Georgia, and Opelika customers through its Spectrum "Entertainment

Jewish Life Television Adds Local Option

View" package.

In Columbus and Opelika, JLTV can now be viewed on Spectrum Channel 469.

More cultural than religious, JLTV welcomes viewers of all faiths to enjoy its high-quality programming, both original and acquired, including “Fauda” (ranked the eighth-best international series of the 2010s by The New York Times), “Prisoners of War” (ranked

the No. 1 best international series of the 2010s by The New York Times and the inspiration for Showtime’s “Homeland”) and “Servant of the People” (starring Ukrainian President and Time Magazine’s Person of the Year Volodymyr Zelensky).

At a time when we are seeing soaring antisemitism, JLTV aims to entertain, educate and inform its multi-faith audience about

the Jewish cultural and religious experience in the United States, in Israel and around the world, through programming across multiple genres — including cooking, children’s, classics, comedy, drama, exercise, history, inspiration, lifestyle, news and talk, travel and much more.

“We are thrilled that Spectrum viewers will now have greater access to JLTV,” said JLTV Vice

President of Programming

Brad Pomerance. “If JLTV is currently not included in their Spectrum channel lineup, all they need to do is contact Spectrum and ask to be moved in Spectrum's Entertainment View package at no additional cost."

For more details about JLTV's expanded availability on Spectrum, please see the flyer on A12. ABOUT JEWISH LIFE

What's Happening in Lee County

2023 CITY MARKET VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN

Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreation's 2023 City Market. City Market vendor applications opened Nov. 14. City Market will be held Saturdays from May 20 through Aug. 26 at Town Creek Park from 8 to 11 a.m., with vendor setup beginning at 7 a.m.

Farmers, growers and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry St.).

For more information, including a link to vendor applications and the City Market handbook, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket or contact Sarah Cook, market coordinator, at scook@auburnalabama.org.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Feb. 21, 2023 at 7 p.m.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Southside Center for the Arts, located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika. Activities include planting, story time, crafts or art projects for children and hanging out with the goats.

Rex Jakeman (Leslie); his sister, Cynthia (Graham) Nicol; six grandchildren, Emma Kathryn McMullen, Anna Claire McMullen, Megan “Meg” Mitchell, Audrey Grace Mitchell, Polly Parker Mitchell and Theodore Jakeman “Jake” Mitchell; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn Jan. 28. He will be laid to rest at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, where he was a member for 42 years.

GLORIA SANDERS

Gloria “June” Sanders, 75, of Opelika, was gathered into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, while surrounded by a multitude of family and friends on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

June was born on May 20, 1947, in Eclectic, Alabama, the daughter of Talmadge and Maggie Davis. June later moved with her family to Opelika, where she met her lifelong soulmate, Jerry Sanders. They were married on Aug. 7, 1965, and spent the rest of her life together. Over the course of their 58-year legacy, June and Jerry made their home in the Beauregard community. June and Jerry’s family grew to

four with the birth of their two sons. June was blessed to see her two boys married, and in 1996 she and Jerry welcomed two granddaughters. The third grandchild was a boy born in 2000. June was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother joyfully sharing all their accomplishments. She was also a strong spiritual leader and prayer warrior for her family. In 2019 June and Jerry decided to move to the shores of Lake Martin. It was June’s dream to watch the wildlife and enjoy the serenity of the water and it was a place of gathering that gave her family many reasons for her to spend time with them and enjoy life. Jerry built her “dream home” and put her special architectural and decorating skills to work.

June and Jerry transferred from First Baptist in Opelika to First Baptist Alexander City with their move and were actively involved in the church. She loved to worship God every day and it was her faith that kept her and her family strong during the past year.

June was a successful businesswoman. She owned and operated “The Beauty Place” hair salon in Opelika for over 30 years, where she made many lifelong friends that she witnessed to and prayed with over the years. It was the quintessential “Steel Magnolias" of Opelika. June loved to cook and bake and cherished both of her granddaughters’ interest as she taught them everything

she knew about baking. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and boat rides with her grandson. June’s favorite pastimes were reading the Bible, cooking for her family, shopping for antiquities and shoes, gardening and caring for her flowers. Red Velvet was her favorite cake to bake, complete with cream cheese icing, which she made many hundreds of times over the years for her family.

June was preceded in death by her parents, Talmadge and Maggie Davis, as well as her sister Agnes Lawhorn and nephew Jason Hall.

June is survived by her husband Jerry; sons, Keith; Jeff (Kelly); her grandson Mitchell Sanders; granddaughters, Kayla (Joey) Motley; Gracie (Chad) Gibbs; great-granddaughter Ella Rose Motley; brothers Kenneth Davis; Billy (Terry) Davis; Lester (Penny) Davis; and sisters Donna (Dale) Williams; Martha Smith; and Evelyn Davis. Also grieving her loss are numerous nieces and nephews that are full of her loving memory as she truly cared for each one of them. Funeral services were held Jan. 28, 2023, at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika. Interment was made in the Garden Hills Cemetery.

Nana, “We love you with all of the flowers of our Heart.”

FRANCES JOHNNETTE TYSON GRIGGS

Frances Johnnette Tyson Griggs passed away at East Alabama Medical Center on

TELEVISION

Jewish Life Television is the nation’s premier 24-7 English language, Jewish-themed television network and is available in over 50 million homes through Charter/Spectrum, Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV nationwide and other video operators. To find JLTV’s channel position in any community, sign onto www.jltv.tv/ channels.

NEW PARKING KIOSKS IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN

Four new parking kiosks have been installed throughout downtown Auburn, including one on Tichenor Avenue, one on East Magnolia Avenue and two on North College Street. These parking kiosks became functional Jan. 10.

Parking along Tichenor Avenue and on Gay Street adjacent to Hamilton's is now $1 per hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking will be limited to two hours, like other on-street parking spaces throughout downtown.

Find more information about downtown parking at auburnalabama.org/downtown-parking

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group meets every month on the third Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AIDB-Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional Center on 355 Dunlop Drive in Opelika. Every month different topics are discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision.

Contact Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, or Melody Wilson, case manager for the blind, at 256-368-3258.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH VFW POST 5404

VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of South College Street, will be open on Wednesdays, 8 to 11 a.m. with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.

Jan. 29, 2023. She was 82 years old. She was born June 6, 1940, in Macon County, Alabama. She was a longtime employee of Frank Jones accounting, formerly Jones & Jones accounting. She enjoyed the professional relationship built over the last 38 years with Frank Jones Sr., Frank Jones Jr. and clients. Her passions were Auburn football, watching "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune" and fishing at Lake Martin. She was a lifelong member of Union Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; Wyolene Bufford Tyson and John H. Tyson, son; Jimmie Donald Griggs; brother, Harold Tyson and sister, Ganelle Tyson Langford.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years Charles "Monroe" Griggs Sr.; children, Charles (Leanne) Griggs Jr.; Gail Griggs and Craig (Debbie) Griggs. Grandchildren, Jennifer Cooper; Jonathan Griggs; Donna Griggs; Tracy (Zack) Sowell; Jessica Griggs; Whitney (Jordan) Wirth; Megan Murray; Amy Van Eperen and Joseph Van Eperen; sister, Martha Venable; brother-in-law, John K. Langford; 14 greatgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held Feb. 1, in the Frederick-Dean Chapel with interment at Little Texas cemetery. Dr. Rusty Sowell officiated.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

LINDA WHITE LEE Linda was born on Feb. 8, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama, and died peacefully at her home on Jan. 27, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Linda is a graduate of Corner High School in Jefferson County, Alabama, and began her college education at Auburn University where she met her future husband Albert (Al) and later received her degree from Auburn University Montgomery. Her college experience was interrupted by a six-month sojourn to Liberia, Africa, with her parents. Upon her return from Africa she was married to Al in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and then began a lifelong journey of raising and nurturing her family.

Linda enjoyed a career that began in real estate as a salesperson and broker in Greenville, Alabama, and later in Montgomery and Auburn, and continued to retirement as a right-of-way professional with the State of Alabama Department of Transportation. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Auburn and a dedicated member of the Pilgrims Sunday school class. She enjoyed spending quality time with her family and friends and especially preparing waffles for the family during frequent visits to her home. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, and the competition of Scrabble games and "Jeopardy" with husband Al and the children. She was a Mustang enthusiast and a

member of The Heart of Dixie Mustang Club in Montgomery. She loved giving and receiving greeting cards, especially at Christmas, where she was proud to get her cards to friends and family in the mail by Dec. 1. She loved preparing and serving holiday meals for her family, especially her signature banana pudding and cornbread dressing. She loved the beach. She loved Auburn, having lived there at three different times, and always had to pass through Toomer’s Corner any time she had the opportunity.

Mrs. Lee was preceded in death by her parents Milton Patton White and Odessa McKinney White.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years Albert Allen Lee of Auburn; son Albert Allen Lee Jr. (Dawn) of Jupiter, Florida; daughter Lisa Diane Lee McClellan (Jeff) of Auburn; daughter Nancy Elizabeth Lee Dollar (Tim) of Madison, Alabama; son Charles Milton Lee (Katherine Perry) of Decatur, Georgia; twin grandchildren Zachary Laurence Lee and Christian Albert Lee of Jupiter; Zi Song Perry-Lee, and Nathanial Albert Perry-Lee of Decatur; brother Dean White (Tami) and nephew Austin White of Daphne, Alabama; niece Katherine White, of Daphne and nephew Andrew White of Savannah, Georgia. Visitation was held Jan. 31, 2023, at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in Opelika, with the graveside memorial service following at Town Creek Cemetery in Auburn.

Schools S

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

Spring Sports Underway

OPELIKA —

Opelika's girls and boys soccer teams opened the 2023 season Thursday night against American Christian Academy at the W. James Samford Soccer complex. The remaining spring sports start in the coming weeks.

OHS BASKETBALL

The Lady Bulldog basketball team (8-14, A 1-5) lost a pair of rival games last week to Central (7024) and Auburn (72-42).

The Lady Red Devils completed the two-game sweep of OHS with a 70-24 win over OHS in Phenix City. Naomi Whack and Jordyn Cobb scored seven points apiece to lead Opelika offensively.

The AHS Lady Tigers hosted rival Opelika last Friday in the AHS gymnasium. Auburn jumped out to a 32-8 first half lead before coasting to a 72-42 win. This marked the Lady Tigers’ second win over OHS this season. Despite the loss, Cherdi Daniels led OHS with 14 offensive points while teammate Whack added 12 points.

The girls will play their last regular season game Friday, Feb. 3, in Seale against Russell County.

Opelika's boys basketball team (8-9) lost to Auburn High, 52-62, last Friday night in Auburn.

The Bulldogs dropped

Gobourne Leads Tigers into 2023 Season

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

It is once again gymnastics season on The Plains, and this Auburn squad is more loaded than ever. Leading the way is fifth-year senior Derrian Gobourne, a native of Sarasota, Florida, who has become one of the most well-known athletes across all of Auburn Athletics.

“I’ve been doing gymnastics for about 15 years,” Gobourne said. “I started pretty late actually; I started doing competitive cheer. I started when I was about 7 and had a talent in it and just loved it.”

Like most athletes, Gobourne looks up to one of the best in her sport.

to 8-10 overall and 1-5 in area play.

The Bulldogs’ last regular season game will be Friday, Feb. 3, in Seale against Russell County.

The area bracket for girls and boys was released Thursday. I will update you in next week's column.

OMS 8TH GRADE BASKETBALL TEAM FINISHES 14-4

The Opelika Middle School (OHS) eighth grade basketball team finished the season with a 14-4 record. OMS defeated the following teams: Smiths Station (twice), Beauregard (twice), Gardner Newman (twice), Lanett (twice), Russell County (twice), Benjamin Russell (twice), South Girard and Valley.

The eighth grade roster includes the following players and their jersey numbers: Qua Lawrence (2), Micah Truitt (3), Cam Bulger (4), Brady McNally (5), Quez Johnson (10), Kairi Johnson (11), Jordan Livingston (12), Reese Beasley (13), CJ Sankey (14), Elijah Oden (15), Omari Smith (20), Mori Thomas (22) and Terez Thomas (23). The head coach is Dustin Ferguson.

DIXIE YOUTH BASEBALL REGISTRATION

Opelika Dixie Youth baseball league is currently holding registration for

See SPORTS, page B2

Gobourne started gymnastics later than most, but there would be no way of knowing that when watching her compete.

“Probably Simone Biles just because of everything she has done,” Gobourne said on her favorite gymnast. “She is the most decorated gymnast.”

An important aspect of competing at a high level

See GOBOURNE, page B2

Perdue Does It All for the Gators

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER SMITHS STATION —

When Glenwood basketball coach Dusty Perdue drives up to Lanett, Alabama, for the Region Tournament on Thursday, he won’t have one team with him — he’ll have two.

He will have two game plans, stand for two tipoffs and he’ll be the loudest voice in the gym for two games each day — and that’s not a hot take. He might sit down, maybe even cross his arms and fold his legs, but it won’t last for more than a few moments before he’s marching up and down the sideline, clapping and shouting orders for his team to execute.

Perdue coached boys basketball for 12 seasons before additionally taking the role as the girls head coach in 2020, but that’s only a fraction of what he has been for Glenwood in his 18 years at the private school on Summerville Road in Phenix City, Alabama.

“Coach Perdue has

always gone above and beyond what’s expected,” said Glenwood Athletic Director Tim Fanning.

“He has coached multiple sports, led FCA, announced for our football games and given a large majority of his life to this school, our kids and this athletic department. We are blessed to have such a committed man, willing to lead young men and women in the Glenwood family.”

Perdue currently leads seven teams at Glenwood: middle school, junior varsity and varsity boys and girls

basketball teams, plus the tennis team — both sports he played at Shaw High School back in his days in Columbus, Georgia. In fact, he took his quick step and his racket to Abraham Baldwin College and then Florida State University, but that was the end of his playing days.

“[Out of college], I worked at Pepsi Cola for 10 years moving drinks,” Perdue reminisced.

“That’s not an old man’s job, that’s a young man’s Ajob. It’ll wear your back out in a heartbeat.”

With his playing days squarely in the past, after 10 years of back-breaking labor at Pepsi, Perdue decided he wanted to pursue coaching.

He said he believes that’s what God made him for.

A public school boy from Georgia, Perdue branched out and started his coaching career as a girls basketball and softball coach at Calvary Christian School in Columbus. Then, in 2005, Perdue crossed the river and ventured into Alabama for the first time.

See PERDUE, page B7

PHOTO BY TAYLOR SONDERGRATH / AU ATHLETICS

Auburn gymnastics' super senior Derrian Gobourne smiles during a routine.

Glenwood High School head boys and girls basketball head coach Dusty Purdue claps on the sideline during a game.

PHOTO BY NOAH GRIFFITH / FOR THE OBSERVER

BY DANIEL LOCKE

FOR THE OBSERVER

OPINION —

Spring is upon us which means it is almost time for baseball on The Plains. The Auburn Tigers are fresh off an appearance in the College World Series and enthusiasm for the upcoming season is high. With another talented roster and a schedule that will surely put that talent to the test, 2023 is bound to be an interesting year for Tigers Baseball.

An 11-1 loss at the hands of the Arkansas Razorbacks ended Auburn’s miracle run in last season’s NCAA Tournament. However, making it to Omaha, Nebraska, to compete in the College World Series in two of the last three NCAA Tournaments has laid a foundation for a successful era of baseball for Auburn. Auburn had eight players selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, so there will be some big shoes to fill this season.

Blake Burkhalter, Mason Barnett, Sonny DiChiara, Carson Skipper, Hayden Mullins, Blake Rambusch and Brody Moore were the Tigers who were selected to play at the next level.

Cole Foster will likely move from second base

GOBOURNE

>> FROM B1

finding a method of staying focused. Gobourne said she uses journaling to do so.

“I like to journal a lot, not just with gymnastics but with life,” Gobourne said. “I’ll write down everything I want to do in that event. When I write down everything I want to do, it helps me to stay locked in.”

In a sport where you compete as an individual, team chemistry is still vital to the success of a collegiate gymnastics squad. Gobourne said she is aware of this fact and loves reaching milestones with her

OHS Athletes Ink Commitments

PHOTO BY LAKE SHANE

to shortstop to replace Brody Moore. Nate LaRue will be back as catcher. Kansas transfer Cooper McMurray will compete with Cam Hill for the first base job. Caden Green, a junior college transfer from Seminole State, is the favorite for the second base spot. The third base battle will likely be between Mason Land and Brody Moss. Ike Irish is the early favorite for the designated hitter duties.

The Tigers have all three of their starting outfielders from 2022 returning, Mike Bello, Kason Howell and Bobby Pierce from left to right. Bryson Ware and Josh Hall also add starting experience and could be in that rotation. Kent State transfer Justin Kirby and freshman Chris Stanfield are the newcomers expected to make the biggest impact in the outfield.

Pitching is the biggest question mark for Auburn going into this season. The Tigers had three starters drafted but are returning ace Joseph Gonzalez. Carson Swilling, Hayden Murphy, Tommy Sheehan and Drew Nelson are likely to make up the remainder of the rotation.

Chase Isbell is the front-runner to move into the closer role. John

teammates.

“I would say performing, but also reaching a goal with my teammates,” Gobourne noted as her favorite aspects of gymnastics. “My first year I won nationals, which was really cool, but it feels really good to achieve a goal with my teammates.”

During Auburn’s Jan. 20 home opener against Arkansas, Gobourne’s brother Derric went viral for dancing in the crowd while his sister was introduced. Derric is a professional dancer and helps Gobourne with the choreography in her floor routines.

“It means everything to me; it helps me create something that I like,”

Armstrong and Chase Allsup are also going to be key pieces of the bullpen.

The Southeastern Conference is the toughest division in all of college baseball. It is not uncommon for four of the eight teams who reach the College World Series to be from the SEC. This means that Auburn’s schedule will once again be difficult.

The Tigers open the season with a three-game set with the Indiana Hoosiers at home, beginning on Feb. 17. They will have a rematch with Southeastern Louisiana from March 10 to 12.

Conference play starts with a three-game road set with the Arkansas Razorbacks starting on March 17. The Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a road series from April 14 to 16. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are in town from April 21 to 23. The LSU Tigers travel to The Plains for a series with Auburn from May 5 to 7. The Tigers last notable series is on the road against the Ole Miss Rebels on May 11 to 13.

Opening day is just two weeks away. Auburn fans should be eager to pack out Plainsman Park once again for another year of Tigers baseball.

Gobourne said about having her brother help create her routines.

“There are a lot of girls who can’t really get into their floor routine because it’s not them. Being able to share that with my teammates and the Auburn family is really special to me.”

This Auburn team currently checks in at No. 5 in the country. With Olympic gold medalist Sunisa Lee back for another year and a roster that is packed with talented athletes, the sky is the limit for this team.

“I think this team is very special,” Gobourne said. “Not only are we talented, but we understand each other and can adapt to anything that

SPORTS >> FROM B1

the 2023 season. Anyone 6 to 12 years old can play by registering online at www. opelikadixieyouth.com; cost is $90 per child.

Deadline to register is Feb. 17. Evaluations will be between Feb. 23 through 26. The exact date and time has not been announced.

OPELIKA DIXIE BOYS HOST 2023 JUNIOR DBB WORLD SERIES (13U)

The city of Opelika, Opelika Dixie Boys and Auburn-Opelika Tourism partnered together to bring the 2023 Junior DBB World Series to Opelika's West Ridge Park last weekend. Opelika's 13U

happens. This team is going to go far because we understand one another and understand that everyone plays a role on this team.”

While the Tigers boast a tight-knit squad, the Southeastern Conference is home to some of the best gymnastics in the NCAA, making it a tough division to compete in.

“It’s really fun,” Gobourne said. “Competing in the SEC is very nerve-wracking because there isn’t a team who’s not good. It always keeps you on your toes. It’s really fun competing because you always know it’s going to be a challenge.”

Gymnastics has blown

Junior DBB All-Star team receives an automatic berth in the World Series as the host team. Eleven state champions and Opelika make up the 12-team World Series, double-elimination bracket.

The Opelika Dixie Boys league will hold registration beginning in March, running through April 15. Registration is held at Opelika Sportsplex. For more info, contact D.Mark Mitchell at foxonthemark@ yahoo.com.

FLORAL PARK UPDATE

Crews are working seven days a week at Floral Park in Opelika installing the new turf fields in place of the old softball fields. The complex has a

up in popularity among Auburn fans over the past few seasons. With a plethora of top recruits signed over the next few classes, the enthusiasm is not going anywhere.

“It means a lot to all of us because we put in so much work,” Gobourne said. “It means a lot — having the Auburn Family backing us up is an amazing feeling. It’s just something that I will never forget.”

Gobourne has reached many accolades during her time with Auburn, but she said there is still more she would like to accomplish.

“I want to be an all-American and a regular season all-American on vault,” Gobourne

100-yard-long football field and regulation soccer field, along with two mini soccer fields in the south end zone. The turf is outlined in white lines for football, with red and black lines for soccer.

The turf fields are part of several improvements and renovations at Floral Park. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller has not given a date for when the park will be completed.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

said on her goals for this season. “I want to be an all-American on bar and floor again, win a national championship and go to nationals with my team again.”

This Auburn gymnastics team can accomplish something special, and the skill, experience and leadership that Gobourne provides will help ensure that the Tigers reach their full potential in 2023.

Opelika senior cross country athlete Chas Brewer signed a scholarship to North Greenville University, Wednesday, Jan. 25. Joining Brewer and his family were OHS Principal Kelli Fischer, OCS Athletic Director Jamie Williams, Coach Brett Powers and OHS Cross Country Coach Vicki Gould.

Beauregard Crowned Bowling Champs

The Beauregard girls bowling team won the 2023 AHSAA Bowling State Championship Friday, Jan. 27, at

The Alley Bowling Center in Gadsden, Alabama. On the way to capturing the title, the Hornets defeated Marbury High, 794-746, Southside-Gadsden and swept Scottsboro in the championship. Pictured back row (L-R): Keely Kirby, Katie Wilkerson, Hannah Parham, Carlee Craft, Brynn Standridge, coach Shane Lake; front row (L-R): Camryn Griggs, Berkley Wilson.

Auburn Baseball Set for 2023 Campaign

Lady Red Devils Drag Down Panthers

The varsity Central Phenix City Red Devils girls basketball team defeated the varsity Smiths Station Panthers girls basketball team, 53-37, Friday, Jan. 27.

Smiths Station Crumbles Against Central

The varsity Smiths Station Panthers boys basketball team fell to the varsity Central Phenix City Red Devils, 78-67, Friday, Jan. 27. Five Central players combined to make 15 3-pointers, setting a new school record.

Auburn Completes Sweep of Opelika

The varsity Auburn High School girls and boys basketball teams completed a two-game sweep of rival Opelika last week, Friday, Jan. 27. The Opelika boys fell, 62-52; the Lady Bulldogs fell, 72-42.

Glenwood Girls Eager for Chance to ‘3-Peat’

Glenwood Boys Enter Postseason Hungry for Redemption

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

SMITHS STATION —

The Glenwood High School girls basketball team is the two-time reigning state champion and enters the AISA 3A Region Tournament as the No. 1 seed once again in 2023.

This year’s team looks a bit different. The Gators only have one senior, and arguably their most talented player is in eighth grade. Nonetheless, Glenwood controls its own destiny entering its final game of the regular season, which was on Tuesday versus Springwood.

“I feel like we haven’t reached our plateau yet,” said head coach Dusty Perdue after Glenwood’s win over Abbeville last week. “I think we can play better. I think we will be our own enemy if we don’t finish.”

At 21-7, Glenwood is riding high into its season finale on a seven-game winning streak, including an overtime win over rival LeeScott Academy after senior Emma Head knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to tie things at the end of regulation.

Glenwood’s win over its rival completed a season sweep of the Warriors, but more importantly, it gave the Gators a momentum boost going down the stretch.

“Yeah, huge (for our confidence),” Perdue said. “Because I’m going to tell you, we can play [LeeScott] again on Friday for

the Region Championship, and somewhere down the line, if we do what we’re supposed to, we could probably play them again in the state tournament.”

Under Head’s leadership, junior forward T.K. Davis and eighth grade guard Halle Palmore have led the production for the Gators. According to Perdue, Davis averages a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds a game. That opens the way for their young stud to run the floor.

And she never stops, according to Perdue. “There was one week this year, when I pulled [Palmore] up to varsity, she played nine games in one week because she was playing for the middle school, JV and varsity teams,” Perdue said with a chuckle. “She moved here from Colorado last year and was on our JV and the middle school team. This year, I just said, ‘She’s too good not to use her on varsity.’ Halfway through the year, we decided to put her at point guard, and it’s made all the difference in the world. We call her ‘The Energizer Bunny.’ She’s all around the floor.”

The team has had several wins that built the players’ confidence this year after a 2-3 start to the season. For the young team to find an identity, Perdue said he had to mix and match to find the best lineup combination he could.

Once he found junior guard Olivia Slocumb’s role at shooting guard and promoted Palmore to

varsity, Glenwood went to Lakeside and stole a win, came from behind to beat Mosley (a public school in Florida) and swept a pair of contests with Calvary Christian.

Those wins were the foundation for what has been a hot team in January.

The Gators are 10-1 in the opening month of 2023, suffering only a 59-32 loss to Southland Academy out of Americus, Georgia, which Perdue said is the only team by which he felt outmatched all year.

Perdue said over the course of the season, the team has made large strides in getting in shape physically, learning to keep its composure mentally and controlling the board by using its size inside. He pointed to sophomore center Bobbi Taylor Breazeale as a difference-maker in the team’s growth.

It might not have been obvious from the start, but the Glenwood girls might just be primed for another state championship run.

“Clark Prep, Fort Dale, us and Lee-Scott — I think those could be the final four teams, and whoever’s got things going for them that night will be the winner,” Perdue said. “I think we’re all pretty even with our athletes and with the size of our teams.”

As the No. 1 seed, Glenwood will take on No. 4 Macon East on Thursday, while Lee-Scott will face Springwood to start the Region 2 Tournament at Springwood in Lanett, Alabama.

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER SMITHS STATION

—

The Glenwood High School boys basketball team fell twice in the regular season to rival Lee-Scott Academy — both times by double digits. But the Gators still have a chance to win when the stakes are highest.

The AISA 3A Region 2 Basketball Tournament started on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Springwood in Lanett, Alabama, where Glenwood ended its regular season. On Thursday, Glenwood begins its postseason with Macon East, but head coach Dusty Perdue said the team’s focus is set on one particular team in the tournament.

“We want another shot at Lee-Scott,” Perdue said bluntly. “You only gotta beat them one time, and we’d love for that to be in the state tournament with us to have a chance to play them again. We’re better than we played against them (in the regular season).”

Lee-Scott posted a historic, 24-1 regular season that ended with a 66-42 defeat of the Gators, but Perdue said he feels like the team was able to hold its own inside, where the Gators’ size turns into physical play.

With forwards Lukas Holman, Brandon McCraine and Mason McCraine, who are each listed at 6-foot-4, the paint isn’t a safe place for penetrating opponents. Lee-Scott was able to avoid the inside against Glenwood by staying hot from 3-point territory, but the Gators intend to stay true to their strength while improving from beyond the arch.

“The post players are a big part of our scheme because we’re bigger than everybody else,” Perdue said. “But the boys are finally figuring out that some of them can shoot the ball a little bit, so when they double down on the post, we kick it back out.”

Outside the paint, Glenwood leans on junior guard Griff Garner and sophomore guard Levi Pinder to keep the team in check. Perdue said the team’s biggest weakness is being able to stay in the “right frame of mind,” but he knows he can rely on his guards to set the pace on offense.

While Glenwood only participated in two games decided by single digits this season, Perdue said he learned a lot about who he can turn to in clutch moments. One of those games was a 56-53 win at Calvary Christian, and the

other was a 56-55 loss to Southland Academy. In a close game, the coach trusts his guards to set the tone down the stretch.

“[Garner is] basically an extension of me on the court,” Perdue said. “He gets us into our offenses really, really well. Pinder is one of our shooting guards. He shoots it really well and plays really smart.”

Behind the combination of a sturdy frontcourt and reliable backcourt, the Glenwood boys are looking to win their first state championship since the 2016-17 season.

Sitting at 20-8 before its final regular season contest, the No. 2 and 3 seeds are still up in the air between Glenwood and Macon East, but either way, the winner of those two will play the winner of No. 1 Lee-Scott and No. 4 Springwood for the Region 2 Championship. Despite Lee-Scott standing in its way, Perdue’s team won’t be intimidated this postseason.

“I just think we’re more athletic than most teams we play against,” Perdue said confidently. “Just to keep everything going is what we’re trying to do here. Just keep the season going and play as good of basketball as we can play.”

The varsity Glenwood Gators girls basketball team begins postseason play in the AISA regional tournament Thursday, Feb. 2.

The varsity Glenwood Gator boys basketball team begins postseason play against Macon East in the AISA regional tournament Thursday, Feb. 2.

PHOTO BY NOAH GRIFFITH / FOR THE OBSERVER

PHOTO BY NOAH GRIFFITH / FOR THE OBSERVER

Trivia Kings

Auburn University’s School of Aviation Inks Partnership with Southwest Airlines

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY / BY NEIL REID

AUBURN — Auburn University’s School of Aviation on Monday, Jan. 23, announced a partnership to make the university’s acclaimed aviation program the newest university partner to join the Southwest Airlines Destination 225° pilot recruitment program.

The College Bowl team from Southern Union State Community College won the 2023 ACBL Sectional Tournament in Jasper, Alabama, at Bevill State Community College last weekend to secure a spot in the NAQT National Championship in Chicago, Illinois, on Feb. 24 and 25. The team went 10-0 for the day, sweeping teams from Alabama and Mississippi. Will Hughes was named MVP for the tournament, as he achieved the most total points individually. This is the first time in more than 25 years the SU College Bowl Team has traveled to the national competition.

The partnership aligns Auburn’s growing School of Aviation with Southwest Airlines, frequently voted among the nation’s most admired and awarded airlines.

The Southwest Airlines

Destination 225°

University Pathway is for individuals interested in pursuing their university degree while building post-graduate flight instructing time within their college’s flight program, with the goal of becoming competitively qualified to interview for a first officer role at one of the program’s partner carriers.

The majority of Auburn’s nearly 700 School of Aviation students are Professional Flight majors, making the partnership a high-quality feeder system for both parties.

“Our School of Aviation is a shining

example of excellence at Auburn, and I am thrilled to see our program aligned with Southwest Airlines,” said Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts. “We are committed to providing students with experiential learning and opportunities to make an impact in the world after their days on the Plains.

Career pathway programs like Southwest’s Destination 225° are a wonderful way for our aviation students to embark on fulfilling and meaningful careers after graduation. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Southwest

through Auburn Aviation.”

After building their flying experience at a partner carrier through the program, candidates receive employment consideration for a first officer position at Southwest Airlines. Auburn’s job placement rate for professional flight and flight management majors has remained near 100% in recent years.

“This partnership is a win-win for everyone and the latest in a long line of amazing news for the Auburn School of Aviation program,” said Jim Witte, director

See AVIATION, page B8

AHS to Present Fifth Annual Black History Program

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

The Afro-CulturalEducation (ACE) Club at Auburn High School (AHS) will produce its fifth annual Black History Program Sunday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m.

ACE’s mission is to educate students about Black History and Afro Culture through creative projects like its annual Black History Program. It is dedicated to promoting diversity, openness, representation and opportunity for everyone.

ACE exposes students to the rich heritage of African culture and supports them in their own academic and personal growth as strong citizens thriving in the global world. The club encourages positive and healthy lifestyles by emphasizing how the choices we make will affect history and our future generations.

PERDUE >> FROM B1

“(Glenwood’s) coach Doug Key called me and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for an assistant coach for this year. You interested?’” Perdue recalled.

“Well, when I got over there, he didn’t tell me that he was giving up the job the next year. So, he was bringing me over to get me ready for the head job, and I can’t thank him enough.”

In athletics, Perdue’s current roles as basketball and tennis coach are just a few items on his long resume. He started the volleyball program at Glenwood and coached softball for 15 years, in addition to boys hoops, and has 12 varsity State Championships to show for it ¬— seven in softball, three in boys

Allysa Gentry, math teacher at AHS and sponsor for the ACE Club, said the students in the organization have been working on preparing for the 2023 Black History Program since August.

“Ever since then, the kids have been practicing three days a week,” Gentry said. “There are dances and skits; we have had outside choreographers come in to help teach some of the dances, but they have put a lot of time and energy in.”

basketball and two in as many seasons of girls basketball.

He has consistently set the standard of a championship at Glenwood and was recognized for it in January of this year. Perdue was presented last month with an award for 500 career wins as a varsity head coach, which covers his time at Calvary, Glenwood and Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) with boys and girls basketball.

“When you say private school basketball in the state of Alabama, people talk about Glenwood, and that means you’ve done the right thing,” Perdue said.

The Glenwood girls basketball team is the two-time defending state champion, and the boys last won it all in 2017. Perdue said with

Overall, 90 students are members of Auburn High School’s ACE Club. Just about 55 are participating in the Black History Program.

The 2023 program will look a little different from past years, Gentry said. While ACE’s Black History Program has previously honored those who came before us, this year it will bring attention to current racially driven topics.

“It’s going to be kind of different,” Gentry added. “Last year, we covered the post-WWII

certainty that the Gators are looking to repeat — “always.”

Temporarily, Perdue did experiment at the college level, but he says it’s “an itch that has been scratched.”

From 2009-11, Perdue made a stop at CVCC — about 10 minutes from Glenwood in Phenix City. But Perdue soon found out he’s built to be in high school.

Perdue is also a family man, which is why being on the road constantly with the low salary of a junior college (JUCO) coach didn’t stick. After the 2011 season, Perdue moved back to Glenwood to make more time for his wife, Jennifer, and to be at home more with his four children.

“As a JUCO coach, you’re always on the road trying to pick up players that fall from Division

era and civil rights. This year, my officers wanted to make it more modern. So, we are going to cover the topic of police brutality and just make it more relevant for the teenagers in this day and age.”

The theme for this year’s program is "ELEVATE." The word stands as a reminder that we have to lift each other up, especially in dark times.

ACE Club was originally started in 2018 by Auburn High School teacher Ruby Thomas. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away in 2019 after a battle with breast cancer, and Gentry has taken up the mantle ever since. While the circumstances of Gentry becoming the club’s sponsor were unfortunate, she considers herself thankful to have witnessed the growth of the club since she took over in 2020.

“When I started, it was very small,” Gentry said. “We didn’t really focus on any historical context.

1 or 2, trying to find the next best thing,” Perdue said. “It takes time away from your family.”

Besides, Perdue said he loves his home at Glenwood. So much, in fact, that he teaches three P.E. classes and an enrichment class on communication in addition to his coaching roles.

He’s involved in just about everything. He’s a part of students’ lives in the classroom, athletics and extracurricular activities.

At break or at lunch, you’ll probably find him going from table to table, talking to anyone and everyone. He’ll be cracking jokes, catching up on the latest drama, giving advice or whatever it is the students need that day.

On Friday mornings, you’ll find him at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). On

Now, we have grown tremendously. The kids are putting more of their input into everything. And also we are covering more of the issues for the students that are relevant to them. Now we are working with the high school’s TV Production class and have the show livestreamed. We have reached out to guest speakers in the past. We have just kind of reached out and got more community involvement since the very first year.”

Gentry, a minority herself, was once a student at Auburn High School (class of 2008) and said she remembers a lack of diversity being present in her education. Now, things are different, and the ACE Club is providing an opportunity for Black students to make a positive impact in their community by remembering the past to influence the future.

“From my perspective it’s great,” Gentry said of ACE Club. “There

Friday nights in the fall, he’ll be up in the booth calling the football games for the Gators.

And when he’s in the vicinity, you’ll know it.

“Coach Perdue is a man who leads by his actions,” said Glenwood senior guard Emma Head.

“Although most know him by his mouth, Coach is someone who makes sure we all know he loves us. He prays with and for us before every practice and game, leads the school’s FCA and tells us how much we mean to him. To me, his actions lead in ways words could never.”

The lessons Perdue teaches have led to athletic success at Glenwood, as his varsity basketball and softball teams have 12 state titles, and four more at the junior varsity level. He has also produced four 1,000-point

was not a club like this for students to see each other that looked alike in a classroom when I went to Auburn. There may have been one or two African-American students in any general class. Now, just to have a class like this where the students are able to express themselves is great to see.”

The fifth annual ACE Black History Program is a free event, however, the club will be accepting donations. The guest speaker is slated to be Auburn University Associate Provost and Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Taffye Benson Clayton. The program is about anything but money, however; it’s ultimately about giving Black students a voice while educating others and inspiring beneficial change.

“We hope everyone comes out and enjoys the performance with us,” Gentry said.

scorers in varsity basketball and is nearing 400 wins as a head coach with Glenwood basketball alone.

More importantly, the winning standard goes beyond the Glenwood campus. Perdue has seen 52 of his former Gators go on to play college sports, which he added is his biggest accomplishment as a coach.

Perdue has found his passion. He knows where he thrives, and he’s there to stay.

“I just love this place. I love being here. I love being a part of it,” Perdue said while looking out at the empty Glenwood gym. “This gym and I have a lot of history together. Something about this place — I just can’t push myself away from it. I’m just going to be a Glenwood Gator … keep on coaching.”

Photo from last year's Auburn High Schoool ACE Club Black History Program.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

TROY’s Online Programs Recognized Among Nation’s Best by U.S. News & World Report

CONTRIBUTED BY TROY UNIVERSITY

ALABAMA — Troy University’s online bachelor’s degree program in psychology and its master’s program in criminal justice have been ranked in the top 20 nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “2023 Best Online Degree Programs” rankings that were released on Tuesday.

Troy’s Online Bachelor’s Psychology program ranked No. 12 nationally, while the criminal justice program ranked No. 16 in the “Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice for Veterans” rankings.

U.S. News assessed schools based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, services and technologies. Designed for individuals looking

of Auburn’s School of Aviation. “Southwest Airlines has a proven tradition of excellence in the industry, and we are excited about joining its Destination 225° pathway program to feed the pipeline rest of article: the pipeline of the future.

Auburn Aviation graduates are making a substantial impact in the industry, and this alignment will help take that to the next level.”

With multiple program partners, Southwest created the university pathway as a highly accessible, cost-effective and innovative route to flying at a major carrier for students pursuing flight industry-related degrees. On a compass, 225˚ is the southwest

Auburn’s Online Programs Receive Top Ranking from U.S. News & World Report

CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

to complete or further their education, this year's edition evaluates more than 1,800 online bachelor's and master's degree programs. While the methodologies are different for each discipline, they all incorporate metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

“As a pioneer in online education, Troy University has an unwavering commitment to those who study with us at a distance,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. “At Troy, we continue to set high standards as we strive for academic excellence through our online programs. This recognition from U.S. News and World Report is a testament to that ongoing commitment.”

Troy was also recognized among the

directional heading, and the carrier developed Destination 225° to lead aspiring pilots to Southwest.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Auburn University as a partner in Southwest’s Destination 225˚ Program,” said Lee Kinnebrew, vice president of flight operations at Southwest Airlines.

“We continue our work of introducing career pathways for the next generation of professional pilots and look forward to supporting students as they train, gain flight experience and develop into competitively qualified Southwest first officer candidates in the years ahead.”

Along with an engaging training program, students involved in the pathway receive ongoing career mentorship from a Southwest pilot

nation’s best in “Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees,” “Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Veterans,” “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Business,” “Best Online MBA,” “Best Online MBA for Veterans,” “Best Online Master’s in Business Programs, Non-MBA,” “Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Programs,” “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.”

The rankings are the latest national recognition Troy University has achieved. Last fall, Troy was ranked No. 17 among public regional universities in the South, and for the 18th consecutive year, it was named among the “Best in the Southeast” by The Princeton Review.

during their university studies and early flying career. Their instruction includes a variety of aircraft, from single-engine planes to Boeing 737s.

Auburn joins an accomplished group of Southwest’s university partners, which includes Angelo State University, Arizona State University, University of Nebraska at Omaha, The University of Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Texas Southern University. More details about Destination 225° and the program’s training and flying partners are available at careers. southwestair.com/D225.

Auburn’s School of Aviation previously established similar partnerships with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to streamline

AUBURN — Auburn University’s online graduate programs are among the nation’s best, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Program rankings, released Jan. 24.

Auburn colleges receiving overall “best” national designations include:

- College of Education: No. 10, in the Education Category

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: No. 16, in the Engineering Category

- Harbert College of Business' MBA Program: No. 19 in the Business Category

- Harbert College of Business' Overall Graduate Programs: No. 27 in the Business Category

- College of Nursing: No. 85 in the Nursing Category.

"These rankings highlight the hard work and dedication of our faculty to create advanced learning environments for our remote students,” said Interim Provost Vini Nathan. “Through these high-quality, immersive programs, we are able to stretch beyond the walls of our campus to deliver an exceptional academic experience to any student seeking an Auburn de-

the transition from the Plains to flying planes.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

Southwest Airlines

Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-akind value and hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Having celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021, Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.

ACCS COLLEGE & CAREER WORKSHOP

gree.”

For online programs for veterans, Auburn achieved "best" national designations that included:

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: No. 11

- Harbert College of Business' Overall Graduate Programs: No. 12

- Harbert College of Business' MBA: No. 14.

Individual programs also receiving “best” national designations included:

- The College of Education: Education for Curriculum and Instruction: No. 12

- The College of Education: Educational Administration and Supervision: No. 13

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Civil Engineering: No. 3

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Electrical Engineering: No. 13

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Engineering Management: No. 15

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Industrial Engineering: No. 8

- Samuel Ginn College of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering: No. 11

- The Harbert College of Business: Business Analytics: No. 13

- The Harbert College of Business: General Management: No. 12

Additionally, the university’s online graduate

Based in Dallas, Texas, and famous for an employee-first corporate culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 64,000 people to deliver unparalleled hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among as many as 130 million customers carried a year. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE:

program in computer information technology was ranked No. 23.

The U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings are based on factors such as student engagement and excellence, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion and services and technology.

ABOUT AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world, including harnessing the power of its people and purpose to put communities at the heart of its success. Learn more by visiting southwest.com/ citizenship. Southwest is also continuing to develop tangible steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including offering customers an opportunity to help the airline offset its carbon emissions. To be part of the solution, visit southwest.com/ wannaoffsetcarbon.

February 15, 2023 | 10:00 am | Southern Room, BTC Opelika Campus

Military active-duty, guardsmen, reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents are cordially invited to join college, military and veteran representatives during a luncheon & workshop to engage veterans on the local services, programs and apprenticeships available to them through Alabama's community colleges. Lunch will be provided and one attendee will receive a $2,000 SUSCC Scholarship!

< Scan the QR Code to register or visit www.suscc.edu for more information!

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, Feb. 02, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Shelby’s Last Hurrah Will Benefit Alabamians for Generations

to our state.

Late Commissioner Honored During Meeting

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

Richard Shelby’s last week as our United States senator was poetically amazing.

The nation watched as he gave his farewell address to the Senate. His speech was followed by a tribute from his longtime friend, Sen. Patrick Leahey. Shelby and Leahey, from Vermont, are best friends and cochaired the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee together for their final sixyear terms, which ended Jan. 3, 2023. They walked out together after a lasting three-decade partnership.

The national media made note of the fact that Leahey, a Democrat, and Shelby, a Republican, were the last vestiges of bipartisanship in Congress. They worked together congruently to get things done for the nation and, yes, primarily for the states they represented. Shelby, who served 36 years as our senator, retired at 88 last month.

To say that he went out with a bang would be a dramatic understatement.

As he was making his farewell adieu speech, he and Leahey were crafting their final federal budget. The budget was passed the next day, two days before Christmas. When the experts discerned the 4,000-plus-page

document, it revealed that Shelby had again played Santa Claus to the people of Alabama. He not only brought most of the money from Washington to Alabama, practically speaking, he brought the entire North Pole and Rudolph and all of the reindeer to the Heart of Dixie as he was walking out the door of the U.S. Senate.

The national media dubbed Shelby the “Greatest King” of earmarked procured money for their state in history. Indeed, the amount of federal dollars Shelby brought home to our state as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee is historical. He probably surpassed the previous “King of Pork” for their state, the late Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

In his last hurrah, Shelby appropriated a mind-boggling $660 million of extra earmarked dollars to our state. Folks, that is quite an amazingly unfathomable, incomprehensible Christmas gift for our state.

As I was exchanging Christmas greetings with a state senator who is a close friend, I commented about Shelby’s departing $660 million Christmas gift to the state. He quietly commented, “Flowers, that is over 25% of our entire state General Fund Budget.” However, if you dig deeper into the federal budget that Shelby passed, his $660 million is also met with upgrades of funds Shelby allocated in previous years to amount to $4 billion. That is more than the entire State of Alabama’s annual budget. Every part of Alabama was showered with Shelby’s gifts, which will make generational changes

In Huntsville alone, Shelby has played a pivotal role in shaping this Tennessee Valley area into the science, space and technology capital of the South, if not the nation. In his final hurrah, the Huntsville Redstone area received funds for Army research weaponry, a space launch system, nuclear thermal propulsion for the Marshall Space Flight Center, construction of a new FBI Headquarters — which Shelby moved from Washington to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville — and several other new buildings at the Redstone Arsenal.

Shelby earmarked a great deal of federal money for his home area of Tuscaloosa, including millions for new buildings and education centers for the University of Alabama, funds for a new bridge and millions for the Tuscaloosa airport.

He took care of the Montgomery/Wiregrass area, which is military-laden for years to come. This area received multi-millions in new money for Ft. Rucker for flight training and Air Surface Missiles, along with millions for the Hellfire missiles made in Troy.

There is over $1 billion going to UAB for biomedical research and new buildings. Shelby has been instrumental in transforming UAB into one of the most pronounced medical research institutions in the nation.

He took care of Mobile for generations to come. There are millions of earmarked funds going to the Port City. In addition, Shelby completed

See FLOWERS, page B10

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Commission honored the life of late District 5 Commissioner John Andrew Harris Monday night.

Harris, who passed away on Jan. 15, served multiple terms on the commission and had been a public servant in Lee County for many years.

Harris began his political career in Opelika in 1986 by serving on the Opelika City Council, a position he held until 1994. After this, he served on the Lee County Commission for over two decades.

Following a brief hiatus, Harris returned

to the commission this past fall, elected to District 5 in November.

“Whereas, with greatest respect, we

celebrate the life and legacy of John Andrew Harris, who

ABA, APA Applaud Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Access to Open Records

CONTRIBUTED BY THE ALABAMA PRESS ASSOCIATION

ALABAMA — The Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA) and the Alabama Press Association (APA) commend Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for outlining in detail how public records can be accessed from state agencies.

The executive order, issued on Jan. 26, 2023, makes the process

See RECORDS, page B13

Say What? Actors Play Characters of Another Race, Ethnicity and Size

A controversy has arisen as some critics say the movie makes fun of morbidly obese people. Time Magazine stated, "Some critics believe it perpetuates tired tropes of fat people as suffering, chronically depressed and binge eating."

Others lambast the director, Darren Aronofsky, for using a prosthetic suit to seemingly add pounds, instead of hiring an obese actor. National Public Radio reported that this criticism extends to detractors who call the film's premise "inherently dehumanizing."

filmed version of the Shakespeare tragedy. Othello is a general in the Venetian army and also a Christian Moor, depicted as having a dark complexion. Olivier was cast, although he has no African or Arab roots, so he wore full-on blackface in the film. That means he painted his skin several shades darker to play Othello.

OPINION —

Iwonder how department heads at Auburn University or the University of Alabama would respond to an online professor who never reveals his own photo on the Zoom screen. How about the students? Their photos are expected to be posted. But when a professor such as Charlie in “The Whale” weighs more than four students combined — that is, 600 pounds — he continues to claim his webcam is broken to save

embarrassment.

An English teacher on the web, Charlie spends all his time inside his home and even hides his face from his local pizza delivery man. Brendan Fraser is deservedly nominated for an Oscar, after a period of slippage in his career. My focus today is actors playing roles outside their race, ethnicity and size.

Example: Fraser’s acting is remarkable as he plays a man three times his (Fraser’s) own weight who endangers his health with every pizza and chocolate bar.

Although in Hollywood diversity has been promoted for years, the reality is that white actors are getting roles best suited to a diverse roster. An astounding 75% of speaking roles go to white men or women, according to the Huffington Post. Against expectations, most roles of characters of color are awarded to whites. This comes from “25 Times white actors played people of color and no one really gave a…” on Voices.com.

For instance, Sir Laurence Olivier starred in “Othello,” the

Local Business Owner Visits Opelika Rotary

John

Another example is when John Wayne played Genghis Khan in “The Conquerer” (1956). The emperor was Mongol, born near the border of what now is Mongolia and Siberia. Wayne had absolutely no Asian ancestry. He was of mixed-European descent. Western movie legend Wayne took a chance with this role; no critic reviews are listed on Rotten Tomatoes. Maybe he is lucky that there are not! The film “The King and I” (1956) is a musical set in Siam (Thailand) that features a British widow who is a live-in governess to the King of Siam’s children. That character is Southeast Asian. Yul Brynner was mainly of Russian descent. His birth name:

Yuliy Borisovich Briner. He changed his name when he became an actor. It worked: He won the Oscar for best actor for this movie.

I think a balance can be achieved with these roles that are written for a certain race or ethnicity. Critics are right in saying that Wayne, Olivier, etc., were automatically chosen for roles they should not have been. That is because they were A-list actors — that is, “money makers.” But “token” actors should be hired only if they are ready to play their part with gusto.

For an online professor who hides his or her face in classes, a solution is to have students offer to fix the webcam. They can say, “We show who we are, why can’t you?” Or the teacher can be approached by a fellow professor to look into the problem. It will be difficult, as the problem is not the webcam but that Charlie is blocking his identity photo because of his off-putting 600 pounds.

This column is about actors who play characters of another race, ethnicity and size. It is not

a movie review, per se; I recommend that you see it, though.

Near the movie’s end, Charlie shouts to his cynical teenage daughter Ellie: “I need to know that I did one thing right with my life.” What a wrenching scene!

I don’t know any professors, adjunct or tenured, at Auburn University or AuburnMontgomery, who refuse to place their picture on the webcam. For Charlie, teaching courses online was a good thing he did for people wanting to learn English. If he showed his picture, warts and weight and all, maybe he would die content that he was not hiding anymore from curious students.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to The Observer since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books. gm.markley@charter.net.

Opelika Lions Host Flags for Vets Founder

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9

his mission of building Alabama a new deeper and wider port with a $200 million appropriation for the Alabama

State Port Authority.

In my 2015 book, “Of Goats and Governors: Six Decades of Alabama Political Stories,” I have a chapter titled “Alabama’s Three Greatest Senators, John

Sparkman, Lister Hill and Richard Shelby.” If I were writing that book today, Shelby would be alone as Alabama’s greatest United States senator by far. See you next week.

Steve Flowers is

flag poles in 27 states, half of which were in Alabama. Almost 200 of those were put up in Lee County. Additionally, he has installed 15 flags and poles for 15 living Medal of Honor recipients. Powell has also helped charter a total of eight other Flags for Vets chapters. A donation to the organization was presented by Lion President Gayron Davis, left, and U.S. Army veteran Lion Ernie Gazaway, right.

Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

Vehicle Title Problem?

We

GREG MARKLEY

Cassimus, founder of Zoe’s Restaurants, was the featured speaker at the most recent Opelika Rotary Club meeting Jan. 25 — and if you did not leave inspired, you ate too much of the fried chicken. What an amazing story

Tuberville Rejects Climate Hysteria, Encourages Clean Domestic Energy Production

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE

OPINION —

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) took to the Senate floor Jan. 31 to rebuke hyperbolic climate alarmism and promote the production of American energy, which is significantly cleaner than the majority of notable energy producers in the world.

In his latest speech, Tuberville explained that Americans should not be incorrectly blamed for a global problem, and he warned against hysterical climate claims based on

assumption and debated projections. Instead, Tuberville said, the United States should expand domestic energy production to support our economy and lower energy costs for American families.

Excerpts from Tuberville’s speech can be found below, and his full remarks can be viewed at https://youtu. be/uhFQIPrrMOc?t=95.

“We should be doing everything we can to fix the problems created by the government and get Americans back on their feet by unleashing our economic potential and opening doors of opportunity,” Tuberville

said. “Unfortunately, too many here in Washington are still focused on growing the size of government and adding regulations they say will save the environment. However, very rarely does making the government larger benefit the American taxpayers.

“… For decades, fans of big government have used climate change warnings to grow their power. … They have claimed we’re near the edge of a climate cliff — a prediction they know is impossible to prove and has never come true. Of course, they claim, the only solution to this cookedup crisis is for you — the American taxpayer — to sacrifice even more of your freedoms to tackle this so-called climate dilemma.

“… I think I speak for most Americans when [I] say, ‘No way.’ We should say no to overpriced electric cars that

are made with cobalt processed and sold by China — and plugged into a charger that’s powered by fossil fuels anyway. … No to fake meat products that taste as bad as their price and will eventually kill our livestock producers’ way of life. … We say no to unreliable energy sources and the skyrocketing utility bills we’re seeing today because America cannot operate and achieve economic success without fossil fuels.

… And no to trillions and trillions of taxpayer dollars spent on an agenda that’s based only on the rantings of failed

candidates like Al Gore and John Kerry, global elites at a ski resort and a European teenager.

“… For standing here on the Senate floor calling this out, some may call me a climate change denier, so I want to be clear. As a conservative, I believe in protecting our environment, conserving our natural resources and doing what we can to make sure Americans live in a clean, safe environment in communities that will last for generations to come. But I do not believe that we need to give

See TUBERVILLE, page B13

Distillery Owner Visits Opelika Kiwanis Attorney General Steve Marshall Sues Biden Administration

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF STEVE MARSHALL

ALABAMA — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a multistate coalition suing the Biden Administration over a new Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) program that unlawfully invites hundreds of thousands of aliens into our country.

The DHS program would establish a new visa system that would

allow for up to 360,000 aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to be “paroled” into the United States every year. Parole allows noncitizens to physically enter and remain in the United States even though they do not have a legal basis for being admitted. Although Congress authorized a limited parole power for foreign aliens who meet very specific and

See MARSHALL, page B13

proudly served the constituents of Lee County as District 5 commissioner until he passed away on Jan. 15, 2023,” said Lee County Probate Judge Bill English as he read a proclamation in Harris’ honor. “… He received many awards and recognitions, including the Barack

Obama Lifetime Achievement Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award and the Champion of Change Political Action Award.”

English listed many of his accomplishments and service, including helping to revitalize the Lee County NAACP branch, serving as one of the first Black Opelika

City Council members, owning a grocery store in Opelika for 15 years and more. Harris was committed to the voting process and often drove people to the polls if they did not have transportation.

“Therefore, be it resolved, by the Lee County Commission that while mourning the death of Commissioner John Andrew Harris, we

are grateful for his life and tireless service to others, and we offer this resolution in highest tribute to his legacy, as well as in heartfelt sympathy to his family,” English said.

During his years of service, English said the commissioner with whom he served the longest was Harris.

“We’re going to miss John,” he said.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The commission heard a report from the East Central District with the Alabama Department of Public Health to hear what it offers the community.

- The commission discussed a dispute between landowners related to access to property along Lee Road 196.

- The commission approved an advalorem tax abatement resolution for ADC300, LLC.

- The commission approved an education

reimbursement amount for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.

- The commission approved the application for the 2023 Rebuild Alabama Act Annual Grant Program to rebuild a bridge on Lee County Road 245.

- The commission approved the Columbus-Phenix City MPO Resolution for resurfacing Lee Road 240.

- The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 262.

334-705-8858

The Opelika Kiwanis speaker last week was Jimmy Sharp with John Emerald Distillery.

SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE

MARSHALL

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BILLY MACK NOLEN, Deceased

Case No.: 2022-709

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Christi Nolen Ingrum, Personal Representative on the 12th day of January, 2023, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Christi Nolen Ingrum Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23 & 2/2/23

--------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MINNIE WILDER, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2022-589

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 10th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

FRED WESTERN

EDDIE MILLER

Co-Personal Representatives

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345

(334) 745-3504

Legal Run 1/19/2023, 1/26/2023 & 2/2/2023

In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that Phoenix Fabricators and Erectors, LLC has completed its work on the System Strengthening & Operational Improvements Project / 500,000 Gallon & 300,000 Gallon Elevated Water Storage Tanks / GMC Project No. CMGM-170126(1) for the Beulah Utilities District. Any person(s) having a claim against the project should notify Josh Pierce, P.E., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC, 2660 East Chase Lane, Suite 200, Montgomery, AL 36117. All claims should be filed within 30 days of the first publication of this notice.

Legal Run 1/19/23, 1/26/23, 2/2/23 & 2/9/23

--------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ANTOINETTA

MICHELLE WIMBERLY HENDERSON, DECEASED

Letters of administration for the estate of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned personal representative JADA AALIYAH HENDERSON on December 22, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against

said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Jada Aaliyah Henderson Legal run 1/19/23, 1/26/23 & 2/2/23

---------------

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

23011

Sealed proposals will be received, opened, and read aloud in public session for furnishing all labor and materials and performing all work required by the City of Opelika for DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL, for the City of Opelika until 2:00 p.m., local time, Monday, February 27, 2023, at Opelika City Hall Conference Room 2nd floor at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika, Alabama.

Qualified contractors are invited to proposal. The bidder expressly acknowledges, to and for the benefit of the CITY, that this Agreement may be funded with federal monies and, therefore bidder expressly warrants and agrees that it shall at times comply with all applicable federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations. For more information about the Federal regulations visit the website http://gpoaccess. gov/index.htm.

Emergency Debris Removal

The City of Opelika is soliciting proposals to provide Disaster Debris Removal and Disposal Services following an event within the city limits and some rightsof-way that may be outside the corporate limits of Opelika, Alabama.

Plans, Specifications, Request for Proposal, addenda, and other related documents may be obtained from the City of Purchasing Department located at 204 S 7th St., Opelika, Alabama, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., or downloaded from the City’s website at www.opelika-al. gov/bids.aspx. Questions or comments pertaining to this proposal must be sent to the Public Works Director, Mike Hilyer before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Guarantee will be required with each proposal as follows: At least five (5) percent of the amount of proposal in the form of a certified check or Bid Bond payable to the City of Opelika, Alabama. Contractor may be required to provide the following bonds: Payment and Performance, Labor and Material Bond. The right is reserved, as the interest of the Owner may require, to reject any and all proposals and to waive any informality in proposals received.

Envelopes containing proposals must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, PurchasingRevenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li¬ka, Alabama, 36803. Attn.: Emergency Debris Removal

The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code §34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when proposals are submitted. All bidders

PUBLIC NOTICES

must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all proposals to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license must be documented on the outside of the envelope of the sealed proposal.

LILLIE FINLEY

PURCHASINGREVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Legal Notice 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023, & 02/09/2023

---------------

NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF SUSIE MAE MELTON, DECEASED PROBATE COURT, LEE COUNTY, AL

CASE NO.: 2022-409

Notice to Creditors

Take notice that letters of administration of said deceased having been granted to Annastacia M. McMullen on the 17th day of January, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

ANNASTACIA M. MCMULLEN

Legal run 1/26/23, 02/02/23 & 02/09/23 ---------------

STATE OF ALABAMA LEE COUNTY PROBATE COURT

CASE NO. 2023-016 ESTATE OF CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., DECEASED

Notice of appointment of personal representative

Letters testamentary of said CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., Deceased, having been granted to Brian Turner this 19th day of January 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Brian Turner, Personal Representative Legal run 1/26/2023, 2/2/2023, 2/9/2023

---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA

CASE NO. 2022-684

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BETTY FAY NORRIS, DECEASED

Take notice that letters testamentary having been granted to: Regina Fay Hattaway as executrix of the ESTATE OF BETTY FAY NORRIS, deceased on the 13th day of December, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Regina Fay Hattaway, Executrix Legal run 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023, 02/9/2023

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IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARCUS DUNCAN

MOREMAN, DECEASED In the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama Case no: 2023-021

Letters testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 19th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Mark A. Cowhick

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal run 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023 & 02/09/2023

--------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SANDRA F. OLIVER, DECEASED CASE NO. 2023-026

Notice of hearing

To: Kathy O. Heath, 2435 Lee Road 375, Valley, AL 36854

And any unknown heirs of Sandra F. Oliver, deceased Notice is hereby given that a petition to probate the last will and testament of the ESTATE OF SANDRA F. OLIVER, deceased has been filed in the Lee County Probate office. A hearing has been set for the 16th day of March, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Central time, electronically via "zoom". Please contact the Lee County Probate court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the hearing of the petition to probate the last will and testament of the estate of Sandra F. Oliver, deceased. Bill English Judge of Probate Legal run 01/26/2023, 02/02/2023 & 02/09/2023

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Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. Best 4 less will be auctioning off the below mentioned vehicles on february 27, 2023. This auction will be held at 2509 lafayette parkway, opelika, alabama, 36801 at 10:00 a.M. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-705-0000. 3vwse69m04m048682 –2004 volkswagon jetta 1g1am15b867822806 –2006 chevrolet cobalt 5n1ar18b38c662215 –2008 nissan pathfinder 1g1ap15p4772590462007 chevrolet colbalt Legal run 01/26/2023 and 02/02/2023

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS ALDOT PROJECT NO. IAR—041-000-020

CITY BID NO. 23003

CITY OF OPELIKA LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA SEALED BIDS WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA PURCHASING DEPARTMENT (ATTN. LILLIE FINLEY) AT OPELIKA CITY HALL LOCATED AT 204 SOUTH 7TH STREET, OPELIKA, ALABAMA 36803, UNTIL 2:00 P.M., MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2023, AND AT THAT TIME PUBLICLY OPENED FOR CONSTRUCTING THE FOLLOWING: CONSTRUCTION OF RIGHT TURN LANE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS FOR

ANDREWS ROAD FOR THE CITY OF OPELIKA, PROJECT NO. IAR-041-000-020. THE BRACKET ESTIMATE ON THIS PROJECT IS FROM $425,000.00 TO $500,000.00. THIS BRACKET RANGE IS SHOWN ONLY TO PROVIDE GENERAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO CONTRACTORS AND BONDING COMPANIES CONCERNING THE PROJECT’S COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THIS BRACKET SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PREPARING A BID, NOR WILL THIS BRACKET HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE DECISION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT. THE PRINCIPAL ITEMS OF WORK ARE APPROXIMATELY AS FOLLOWS:

2,051 PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT, 11 INCHES THICK, PER TON

2,144 CRUSHED AGGREGATE BASE COURSE, TYPE B, PLANT MIXED, 4” COMPACTED THICKNESS, PER SQUARE YARD

1,375 UNCLASSIFIED EXCAVATION, PER CUBIC YARD

161 COMBINATION CURB & GUTTER, TYPE C (MODIFIED), PER LINEAR FOOT THE ENTIRE PROJECT SHALL BE COMPLETED IN SEVENTY-FIVE (75) WORKING DAYS. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION, BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON COMPLETE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE OWNER. BID DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING PLANS AND PROPOSALS) ARE AVAILABLE AT CDG, INC., 197 EAST UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE #1, AUBURN, AL 36832, (334) 4669431. PAPER COPIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON RECEIPT OF A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $100 FOR ONE SET. PDF ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE AVAILABLE VIA EMAIL AT NO COST TO THE BIDDER, OR ON A CD FOR $25. NO BID DOCUMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED LATER THAN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED OPENING OF BIDS. A CASHIER’S CHECK (DRAWN ON AN ALABAMA BANK) OR BID BOND FOR 5% OF THE AMOUNT BID (MAXIMUM - $10,000.00) AND MADE PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF OPELIKA MUST ACCOMPANY EACH BID AS EVIDENCE OF GOOD FAITH. IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 34-8-8, CODE OF ALABAMA, AS AMENDED, “ALL OWNERS, ARCHITECTS, AND ENGINEERS RECEIVING BIDS PURSUANT TO THIS CHAPTER SHALL REQUIRE THE PERSON, FIRM OR CORPORATION TO INCLUDE HIS OR HER CURRENT LICENSE NUMBER ON THE BID.” IT ALSO STATES THAT “…IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR HIM OR HER TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF LICENSE BEFORE HIS OR HER BID IS

CONSIDERED.” PREQUALIFICATION IS NOT REQUIRED ON THIS PROJECT. FURTHER DETAILS AND DEFINITIONS REGARDING THIS PROVISION ARE INCLUDED IN SECTION 102 OF SPECIAL PROVISION 22-LPA001 AND ALDOT’S 2022 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS. PROOF OF INSURANCE COVERAGES OF THE TYPES AND AMOUNTS AS SET FORTH IN THE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED OF THE CONTRACTOR, AND ANY AND ALL SUBCONTRACTORS, PRIOR TO BEGINNING WORK. THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM WORK AMOUNTING TO AT LEAST 30% OF THE TOTAL CONTRACT COST WITH HIS OWN ORGANIZATION. THIS IS A STATEFUNDED PROJECT THROUGH ALDOT. THE PROPOSED WORK SHALL BE PERFORMED IN CONFORMITY WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS. THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS AND TO DISREGARD ANY MINOR IRREGULARITIES IS RESERVED BY THE OWNER. HONORABLE GARY FULLER, MAYOR LEGAL RUN 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023 & 02/16/2023

--------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DANNY KAY ADAMS, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No. 2023-018 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 17th day of January, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

AMY LYNN HARTZOG Personal Representative Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 02/02/2023,02/09/2023, 02/16/2023

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Notice of Appointment Estate of GEORGE EDWARD BROCKWAY, Deceased Court of Probate Lee County (CASE No.:2023-032)

Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to VIVIAN PRIDGEN BROCKWAY on the 25th day of January 2023, by the Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Bill English, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

G. Keith Pridgen, Jr., Attorney for Petitioner. Legal Run 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023, 02/16/2023

BY PHIL WILLIAMS OPINION —

This past week was school choice week nationwide which brought a renewed focus on asserting that in America we value our children and as such we want what is best for them in every way, including the best in education.

We want to know that our children are being taught the highest possible levels of reading, writing, arithmetic, sciences, technology, history and civics. In essence, we want an actual outcome based education that rewards success and remediates failure while staying focused on what is best for the child. Sounds reasonable, right?

Let me state it clearly: Conservatives want our children to be educated. Liberal progressives just want our children.

The Rightside Way: ForOurKids

Think back to your own school days. Do you remember those times when we were taught in school to literally conspire with our teachers to say or do things that our parents wouldn’t like and to enjoy the salacious nature of having a trusted adult to help us rebel against our own family? You don’t remember doing that? Neither do I. None of us do. Because it’s wrong and any teacher who tried that back in the day would find themselves out on their ear.

But I’m sure that you recall those halcyon days of learning when you sat in class and learned about the fundamentals of biology, anatomy and physiology. But even though the course content said one thing you were also told by your teachers that despite the science that it was all bunk and in reality the textbooks

were wrong because any male could be a female and vice versa. You don’t remember that? Neither do I. None of us do. And any teacher who tried that would be run out of town on a rail.

Okay, but remember when we were taught in English class to use the proper pronouns based upon the standards of use for the English language, and then went down the hall to our next class and had another teacher tell us that we can misappropriate pronouns for our own satisfaction and that she can be used for a he, and that they/them can be used on a singular person. Yeah, that didn’t happen in my school and I guarantee it didn’t happen in yours either. But it happens far too often now. Any teacher back in the day that attempted that tripe would be sent packing forthwith.

Alabama Sheriffs Issue Joint Statement on Tyre Nichols’ Deaths

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA

SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION

ALABAMA —

The Alabama Sheriffs Association represents the combined voices of Alabama’s 67 sheriffs.

We are united in our unyielding stand against the actions and images presented in the recently released video in Memphis,

TUBERVILLE >>

FROM B11

up our livelihoods, our way of life, our access to affordable food and energy because of false claims that we are years — just a few years away — from extinction. …

Instead, I believe we should be investing heavily in American energy production because we already produce some of the cleanest energy on the face of the Earth. And giving up our cars, our farms and our affordable gas prices will do nothing to stop the changing climate.

Tennessee. We consider it a personal affront not just to us but to the vast majority of peace officers in our nation who place service above self in every action they take. As constitutionally elected officials, it is our sheriffs’ duty to do their best to deny individuals who display lawless behavior from joining the ranks of law enforcement.

“… We have to be able to do two things at once: help our economy thrive and promote innovation that leads to cleaner energy production. We can do two things at one time. But a cult-like obsession with climate alarmism is making us weaker and poorer in the name of a problem created by politicians. … I am calling for common sense solutions: Let American companies produce more energy, recognize the benefits of clean energy like natural gas and nuclear and stop scaring people into depression by warning

It is also the sheriffs’ duty to act decisively to remove those who engage in actions displaying blatant disregard for the constitutional rights of citizens. We strive each day to achieve the goal of professionalism in public safety service. It is our honor to serve with the mission of protecting the public in our communities.

of a great climate extinction.

“… If we keep our energy policies woke, we’re going to go broke … but if we unleash domestic production, we can produce clean energy. We can make it more affordable, and we can make life a lot simpler and better for the American people — and also our allies.”

Sen. Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and HELP Committees.

Okay, maybe those things didn’t happen but I feel sure that you recall those days when you were taught that these United States that won two world wars, abolished slavery, put a man on the moon, invented the modern industrial age, and more, really didn’t come to being in 1776. Our country started in 1619 with slavery and this great nation is systemically racist and not worth saving. Was that in your history books? It was not in mine either, and any teacher who tried to foist that kind of dogma on our kids would have been looking for work the next day.

Every single day we are catching more glimpses into the activist factories that some schools have become. Too often a new social media post or TikTok video shows us schools where every

RECORDS >>

FROM B9

of requesting public records very clear and gives citizens an understanding of what to expect when making such a request.

Ivey stated in a press release, “Access to public records is essential to guaranteeing transparency in government, and I am proud to sign this executive order that improves this process as a whole.”

ABA President Sharon Tinsley responded to the governor’s announcement

stringent standards, the Biden Administration’s new program does not meet these standards. Even worse, contrary to existing law, the program creates a pathway for program participants to apply from their home country and gain lawful status to enter and stay in the U.S. for up to two years, or even longer.

“Every state, including Alabama, has become a border state due to the disastrous and misguided immigration policies of the

TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS

value, belief, patriotic verve and faith based position is laid bare and vacated by activists who pose as teachers.

I will pause here and say that I know and believe that the vast majority of educators are not at all on board with the kind of educational indoctrination that I just described. Most classrooms are filled with wonderful people who have a calling to truly love and educate our kids. But too many of them are also aware of off-putting activism that happens in the neighboring classroom but they are reticent to get involved.

Whether for fear or complacency too many real teachers choose silence in the face of the foolishness being perpetrated by their coworkers in a vain attempt to avoid the shouts and aspersions that liberals often employ.

with gratitude. “Broadcasters across the state appreciate the action Gov. Ivey has taken,” Tinsley said. “Her effort to ensure transparency and to provide a clearer process for obtaining the people’s records is welcomed. We urge the Legislature to follow Gov. Ivey’s lead by making needed changes to the Alabama Open Records Act."

The executive order becomes effective April 26, 2023.

"We applaud the governor’s executive order that provides a

Biden Administration,” said Attorney General Marshall. “The open borders agenda has created a humanitarian crisis that is affecting millions of Americans every day. Until our border is secured, we will continue to see increased crime in our streets and the massive influx of fentanyl and other opioids into our communities.”

The administration also instituted this program without engaging in the notice and comment rulemaking process required by law. This program is another instance of the Biden Administration

In my view good teachers need to take back their profession from the crazies who are trying to coopt it and making a mockery of the profession of education. I guarantee that parents will rally for a teacher that brings common sense back to these uncommon times.

If a teacher or superintendent calls out a neighboring classroom being set up as so-called safe space for kids to change their names, pronouns and allegedly their genders, or the classroom down the hall where they are taught to despise the flag of the United States, or the denial of scientific reason by attempting to tell students that in men can get pregnant, that parents will appreciate it. Good teachers will have parents and concerned citizens getting their

See WILLIAMS, page B14

minimum time for state agencies to respond to records requests and addresses the fees charged for obtaining the records,” said APA Executive Director Felicia Mason. “It provides definitions of what is considered a standard request and those that will take more time to gather, and offers guidance on how to address both. These are much-needed improvements, and we look forward to working with state elected officials to make access to public record easier for Alabamians.”

abusing its executive authority to further its dangerous open borders agenda at the expense of the states and their taxpayers.

Attorney General Marshall concluded, “This unlawful amnesty program will prove to be an open invitation for hundreds of thousands of migrants to continue entering into the U.S. illegally every year and will only make the immigration crisis significantly worse, costing Alabama taxpayers millions and wreaking havoc on the criminal justice system.”

MARSHALL >> FROM B11

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But that means we’ve got to keep up our end of the bargain. Gone are the days where we can just turn a blind eye. Gone are the days where we can just shrug our shoulders and say,

PUBLIC NOTICES >>

FROM B12

OPELIKA SELF

STORAGE will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location and time indicated:

710 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika AL 36801

Friday, February 10, 2023 at 1:00PM CST

Jakacia Smith

3300 Boromville Rd

Hurtsboro, AL 36860

Furniture, misc

Gena Hanley

The Breezeway LLC

112 Pine Hills Ave Auburn AL 36830

Boxes, furniture

Gabrielle Gordon

4555 Washington Rd

Apt 23E

Atlanta, GA 30349

Boxes, totes, misc

The auction will be listed and advertised on www.lockerfox.com.

Purchases must be made with credit card only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Opelika Self

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“that’s not my kid so it’s not my fight.”

Progressive liberals want our kids, and if it’s not your kid today then it will be your grandchild tomorrow, or that sweet neighbor’s kid who plays in the yard, or the little minions that run in the hallways of your church, play on the playground

Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

LEGAL RUN 02/02/2023

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STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated:

1412 Opelika Rd. Auburn, AL 36830

Thursday, February 16 at 10:00 am

Unit 256

Unit R320

The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 02/02/2023

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on the corner and get too loud in the grocery store. Our communities must rally for our kids.

This nation is filled with good teachers. Educators who value children and truly value real education, and who will take a stand for our kids. And when they do it is our mission to get

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF RANDY JACKSON HODGE, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY

CASE NO. 2023-003

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of RANDY JACKSON HODGE are hereby granted to Gloria Bass Hodge on the 4th day of January, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Gloria Bass Hodge LEGAL RUN 02/02/2023, 02/09/2023 ---------------

STATE OF ALABAMA

LEE COUNTY

PROBATE COURT

CASE NO. 2023-016

ESTATE OF CALVIN J. TURNER, JR., DECEASED

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their back. It’s for our kids.

Phil Williams is a former state senator, retired Army colonel and combat veteran and a practicing attorney. He previously served with the leadership of the Alabama Policy Institute in Birmingham. Phil currently hosts the

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Letters Testamentary of said Calvin J. Turner, Jr., deceased, having been granted to Brian Turner

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conservative news/talkshow Rightside Radio Monday through Friday

2 to 5 p.m. on multiple channels throughout north Alabama. (WVNN 92.5FM/770AMHuntsville/Athens; WXJC 101.FM and WYDE 850AM –Birmingham/Cullman.)

His column appears

this 19th day of January 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby

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weekly throughout Alabama. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this news source. To contact Phil or request him for a speaking engagement go to www.rightsideradio.org.

required to present the same within time allowed by the law or the same will be barred.

Brian Turner,

Personal Representative Legal Run 1/26/2023, 2/2/2023, 2/9/2023

Our New Home Is Built on a Solid Foundation... Just Like

115 years ago AuburnBank was founded on the principles of sound money management and putting the customer first. As we’ve opened our new home in downtown Auburn, those principles still drive everything we do. Come by and help us celebrate our most recent success, and let’s talk about helping you achieve yours.

WILLIAMS

THIS WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS: